It is with heavy hearts and much sadness that we inform Waka Ama NZ whanau of the passing of one of our rangatira in the sport of wakaama.
Tena koutou Ngā kaihoe o te motu.
It is with great sadness that we were notified of Alf Pukepuke passing during the day of our AROCA Long Distance Regionals this Saturday gone. Alf was at all events both in and outside of the region. His support for all paddlers was his most endearing feature and especially to our younger, up and coming champions. He fostered and maintained the culture of waka ama as a community bonding exercise and for this we thank him.
He now lies at Hoani Waititi Marae and will be taken to Pipiwai early Tuesday morning. The paddling whanau of Waitakere received him yesterday afternoon and we have been told some people from our region are going on later today (Monday)at 6:30pm.
Our hugest aroha and awhina to the whanau pani.
Otira te Papa, hoki atu ma runga I tou wakateretere ki hawaiiki nui, hawaiiki roa, ki hawaiiki pamamao
Ngā mihi aroha mou
AROCA BOARD
Comments
Raipoia Brightwell - Nga mihi tino aroha ki te whanau pani. Such a sad news. We will remember the bright smile, the soft voice with the witty comments. Thank you Alf for all the support you have given our whanau, our Mareikura paddlers and club over the years. Nga mihi nui ki a koe Tiahn....
From our Mareikura Waka ama club and our Brightwell whanau, haere, haere e te rangatira. Te aroha ia rahi
10-Sep-2018
Paora - Haere atu ra e te rangatira e Alf. Ngā mihi ki a koe mo ou ratonga mo mātou ngā kaihoe o Aotearoa. Moe mai ra, moe mai ra.
14-Sep-2018