Te Tohu Whakarewa Tāngata
In 2015 the Waka Ama NZ Board had great pleasure in announcing the establishment of a ‘virtual’ Hall of Fame to permanently recognise outstanding contributors to the sport of Waka Ama in Aotearoa.
The concept of a Hall of Fame is a commonly accepted practice in all nations that wish to honour people who have contributed and continue to contribute to the establishment and growth of particular sports, whether as competitors or administrators or both.
2021
Marinna has been involved in Waka Ama since the mid 1990’s. As well as paddling, she has immersed herself in the administration of the sport at a club, regional and international level. Originally involved in Dragon Boating, Marinna became actively involved in Waka Ama through the Tu Nui a Te Ika Waka Ama Club in Wellington as well as actively involved in the Hoe Tonga Region.
From 2006 to 2018 Marinna has been the Area Co-ordinator for the New Zealand team at seven World Sprint Championships (while sometimes also racing). For most of those years Marinna covered all her own costs and committed 100% to the task at hand, fulfilling her role to the highest standard. She set the bar very high for the future organisation and management of New Zealand World Championship teams. Marinna has also often been a guide and mentor for other countries Area Co-ordinators at events and always tries to help everyone and assist wherever possible.
Marinna also has been the queen of the Karāpiro Tower for over 15 years at Waka Ama Sprint Nationals. Marinna co-ordinates the operations of the volunteers in the tower and produces the results for the event to the highest quality.
Marinna is an essential service.
Thank you Marinna for your immense contribution to our sport.
The Fire and Ice Club in Dunedin started as a Dragon Boat Club until a few enthusiasts saw the light and converted it to a Waka Ama Club in the early 90’s Vivienne Harvey was one of those enthusiasts known as the Fire and Ice ‘Originals. Viv has attended many sprint nationals since 1997 and has been instrumental in growing and encouraging participation in Waka Ama in Dunedin and throughout the South Island ever since she started paddling. She has done so with relentless passion!
Viv has held every leadership role within her own club over that time, but has also been the President, Secretary and Treasurer of the Te Waka o Aoraki Region over the years , and was member of the Nga Kaihoe o Aotearoa National Committee as the Te Waka o Aoraki delegate for several years.
Viv has supported many of the individuals who have started new clubs throughout the South Island and has been a mentor for buddingadministrators. She has impacted the lives of hundreds of paddlers young and old and their whānau…and she is still going.
Viv was a founder of the Fire and Ice – Ice Breaker Race – held every year at Queens Birthday weekend it is the southernmost race in the world and one of the highlights on the Waka Ama Calendar. Viv and her team have grown the event into a great experience and a bucket list item for all keen paddlers in Aotearoa. Last year the 20th edition of the race was unfortunately cancelled due to COVID.
Viv has and continues to make a real impact and a difference to so many peoples lives through Waka Ama.
Viv deserves to be the first recipient of this Tohu from Te Waka o Aoraki.
George started paddling in the mid 90’s in Rotorua. As well as becoming a champion in his own right he has coached hundreds of waka ama paddlers, young and old to national and international level over the last 25 years.
In 2005 George had a car accident which left him severely injured. Since then he hasqualified as a para Waka Ama paddler in theVL3 category and he has competed in Para and able bodied divisions since 2006 at every World Championship.
George has been a champion on and off the water for Para Waka Ama both here and internationally . Competing at 2 ICF World Championships in Europe and all IVF World Championships. George has also coached the Para Waka Ama team to medal at World Championships in Tahiti in 2018 and coached Peter Cowan to compete in 2 ICF World Championships in Europe to try and qualify for the Paralympics.
George lives and breaths Waka Ama and is oneof our sports biggest advocates. He encourages new people to start paddling and motivates those who have been paddling for years; always promoting the health benefits of Waka Ama. His contribution has been and continues to be outstanding.
Thank you George you are an inspiration.
2020
Ngāi Tūhoe, Ngāti Porou, Te Whānau a Apanui
From a young age, Kiwi and her whānau have been heavily involved with Waka Ama at a local, regional, national and international level. Kiwi started coaching at a grassroots level with under 12, under 13s team and continuing up the age groups to develop young paddlers.
Not only does Kiwi spend her time coaching and mentoring paddlers, but she also has a strong presence on the water herself. Kiwi has numerous accolades to her name, including national titles both in the team and individual events, this success has also been shown on the world stage with Kiwi having attended many world championships for her club and as a New Zealand Representative coach/paddler.
Kiwi Campbell's coaching success as the New Zealand Open Women’s Coach at the 2016 and 2018 Elite World Championship events was outstanding. With the Aotearoa Elite women dominating across the last two world championship events. Kiwi is the current coach for the Open Women for the 2020 World Sprints in Hawaii.
Kiwi is one of the most successful coaches our sport has seen and will continue to see well into the future. In 2016 Kiwi was named the Māori Sports Coach of the Year no mean feat in a category where coaches for Rugby Sevens and Māori All Blacks were also nominated.
We know that Kiwi’s successes are not accomplished on her own. Kiwi has a strong network of support her - husband Bruce, sons Mairangi and Maia are all renowned paddlers in the Waka Ama community, and her Mother Irene and late Father Rex have always been heavily involved in the Horouta Waka Hoe Club and have supported her throughout her waka ama journey.
Kiwi is a strong mana wahine who has given countless hours, blood, sweat and tears to this sport, while also being a fine ambassador and example to paddlers of all ages.
We acknowledge two men (Paora Howe & Tim Marshall) who have been involved in the sport of Waka Ama for 2 decades as paddlers, managers, and administrators. and for the last 8 have dedicated themselves as Board Members of Waka Ama NZ.
In 2011 our sport was transformed under the new governance structure with the establishment of the first Waka Ama NZ Board. They have passionately and selflessly given of their time and their skills over those last eight years and have contributed considerably to the organisation we have today.
Since their time on the Board, the sport of Waka Ama has flourished. We have established an office with professional management; we have more than doubled our membership; we have competed in 6 World Championships; we have won world championships; we have increased the number of clubs in Aotearoa (by 21); we have increased the number of schools taking part in our secondary school nationals to over 120; we have attracted corporate sponsorship, and increased government recognition; we have documented our sport’s history, and provided a cultural context for everything we are about. We have established Te Tohu Whakarewa o Nga Kaihoe o Aotearoa, honouring people who have given so much to Waka Ama. We have put in place policies and procedures that will serve our sport for decades to come; we have implemented a sanctioning policy for events and streamlined our IT systems; We have established a coaching framework and a development plan. We have the grown Sprint Nationals, Long Distance Nationals, Secondary School Nationals & Takapuna Beach Cup; we have won awards; we are the envy of many other sports in Aotearoa.
We have come a long way and done a lot, so much so, that it’s hard to imagine where our Waka Ama world would be without all of those things having been successfully undertaken.
Paora has led Waka Ama New Zealand’s governance with integrity and consistency, upholding the values that we represent. He has supported Lara as CEO in every way possible while at the same time ensuring that governance complemented but never interfered with the operations of the organisation. Paora has written policies, offered guidance, networked with potential partners and stakeholders and led the values of Waka Ama NZ in every action. Paora - you have done so much more than many people will ever know and through it all, have kept paddling and enjoying the ‘why’ we do what we do, even winning Gold in the Master 70 division in Tahiti in 2018!
We acknowledge two men (Paora Howe & Tim Marshall) who have been involved in the sport of Waka Ama for 2 decades as paddlers, managers, and administrators. and for the last 8 have dedicated themselves as Board Members of Waka Ama NZ.
In 2011 our sport was transformed under the new governance structure with the establishment of the first Waka Ama NZ Board. They have passionately and selflessly given of their time and their skills over those last eight years and have contributed considerably to the organisation we have today.
Since their time on the Board, the sport of Waka Ama has flourished. We have established an office with professional management; we have more than doubled our membership; we have competed in 6 World Championships; we have won world championships; we have increased the number of clubs in Aotearoa (by 21); we have increased the number of schools taking part in our secondary school nationals to over 120; we have attracted corporate sponsorship, and increased government recognition; we have documented our sport’s history, and provided a cultural context for everything we are about. We have established Te Tohu Whakarewa o Nga Kaihoe o Aotearoa, honouring people who have given so much to Waka Ama. We have put in place policies and procedures that will serve our sport for decades to come; we have implemented a sanctioning policy for events and streamlined our IT systems; We have established a coaching framework and a development plan. We have the grown Sprint Nationals, Long Distance Nationals, Secondary School Nationals & Takapuna Beach Cup; we have won awards; we are the envy of many other sports in Aotearoa.
We have come a long way and done a lot, so much so, that it’s hard to imagine where our Waka Ama world would be without all of those things having been successfully undertaken.
Tim Marshall, as Deputy Chair, has often been a quiet consistent, calm voice of reason over the last 8 years, stepping into many roles and doing whatever is needed to get ‘whatever’ it is done. Tim has offered guidance and support to Lara in her role as CEO and together with Paora have created a formidable governance leadership team. Tim consistently represents our values of Waka Ama NZ and epitomizes fairness and service in everything he does.
2019
Originally from Tahiti, Raipoia has been a stalwart of waka ama since it began in New Zealand in the late 80’s. She was part of the land support team for the Hawaiki Nui voyage in 1985 and was involved in the development of Tatou Hoe in 1987 (The original name of Nga Kaihoe o Aotearoa/Waka Ama New Zealand) Raipoia was the first Secretary of the organisation and helped to start the Mareikura Canoe club in Gisborne along with her husband Matahi Brightwell. Raipoia has been involved in every facet of the sport, as is a leader, inspiring others, as a paddler winning national titles in singles and teams, as a coach of all grades and in particular decades of Junior development, as an administrator, as a driver of the sport and as a multiple world champion in every age category that she has competed in. Humble and fiercely competitive, Raipoia is a true legend of our sport, respected by all, locally, nationally and internationally. From the beginning until now Raipoia’s enthusiasm and love for the sport and the kaupapa has never diminished. Our sport would not be what it is today without the unconditional input and support of people like her.
(Posthumously)
Chrissy Herbert was at the forefront of Waka Ama from its humble beginnings in Aotearoa. Leading the first Aotearoa Womens team to attend a world Sprints representing Nga Hoe Horo in 1988 in Hawaii. Chrissy set the standard in New Zealand womens paddling and raised the bar as a paddler and steerer continuing to push the limits of competitiveness in Aotearoa and around the world.
Like Raipoia, regardless of her own successes, her focus was always on Rangatahi and developing waka ama, especially in Pawarenga.
Chrissy was an inspiration to paddlers throughout Tai Tokerau and throughout New Zealand.
Unfortunately, we lost Chrissy in 2001, and Bo in 2005 but their legacy lives on today through their club Nga Hoe Horo, their 3 sons, their grandchildren and their whānau who continue to add to the development and strength of waka ama in New Zealand.
(Posthumously)
Bo Herbert, was also involved when our waka ama story started, paddling in Hawaii in 1988 in Aotearoa and Nga Hoe Horo’s first mens team, putting Pawarenga on the global map. Bo helped Kris Kjeldson design and build the first fleet of waka for the 1990 world sprints and also the Surfrigger W1.
Bo was the best of the best, an elite paddler and instrumental in ensuring that New Zealand paddlers strived to achieve global success, which culminated in them winning the Molokai Hoe 2001 with Team New Zealand/Hawaii.
Whilst Bo was legendary throughout Aotearoa and the pacific he was always humble and had time to assist behind the scenes and do whatever was needed to help waka ama grow to the sport you see today.
Unfortunately, we lost Chrissy in 2001, and Bo in 2005 but their legacy lives on today through their club Nga Hoe Horo, their 3 sons, their grandchildren and their whānau who continue to add to the development and strength of waka ama in New Zealand.
2017
Past president of Nga Kaihoe o Aotearoa
After spending time in Hawaii, where he learned to paddle outrigger canoes in the 80’s, Hotu returned home at a time when our sport was just starting. Our longest serving president of Nga Kaihoe o Aotearoa, Hotu served as president from 1996 – 2002. Hotu also contributed at the International IVF level and was a Vice-President for many years. He helped to start the Nga Tai Whakarongo Club in Hamilton and then the Te Toki Voyaging Trust which is currently one of our biggest Waka Ama Clubs. Hotu’s ongoing contribution to the sport is extensive and he remains one of the most knowledgeable and respected gurus of all things “waka”. Hotu not only raced this week, but commentated races and interviewed teams for Maori Television. We are so fortunate to have Hotu and his entire whanau involved in our sport and we thank him for his continued and tireless contribution.
Waka Ama Stalwart
Maggie Greening has been involved in the sport of Waka Ama since the early 1990’s, firstly as a paddler and then as a member of the national committee of Nga Kaihoe O Aotearoa for over 15 years. Maggie was very much part of the initial growth of the sport of Waka Ama and implemented many changes into the National Club Sprint Championships from the early 2000’s, to cement this event as the highlight of the Waka Ama Calendar. Maggie drove much of the effort to host a successful World Sprints in 2006 and this was a real turning point in the sport in terms of professional event delivery for world sprints events. In her NKOA roles, Maggie held positions of Secretary and President at various times, and has certainly been a key figure in our sport’s history and in the colourful tapestry that has helped lead us to where we are today. Maggie’s contribution to this tapestry has been immense, and we appreciate all that she has done.
Paddler and coach extraordinaire
Corrina has been actively involved with the sport of Waka Ama in New Zealand since 1990, participating in the World Sprints hosted at Orakei Basin and never looking back. An accomplished athlete and outdoor pursuits enthusiast, Corrina quickly became immersed in the Waka Ama scene, both at home and around the globe, participating in and winning Molokai Na Wahine o ke Kai events, and national and world championships events. Corrina also became involved with the administration of the sport, firstly through the Te Waiariki Purea Trust and then the national body of Nga Kaihoe o Aotearoa in the 90’s and then again in 2008. Corrina is an accomplished coach and is renowned for her coaching skills globally. She has contributed to the sport’s legacy here in Aotearoa in many ways - as a paddler, coach, administrator and respected leader within our community. Her input into our coaching framework and modules has been invaluable, and her skills are sought after both here and internationally.
Corrina continues to compete at the highest level and sets the bar very high for all who would follow in her wake.
Website master, the I.T guy.
Alex is the creator of www.wakaama.co.nz, our online entry system, our club membership system, our Race Manager Program, our ID Card System, Live Results and more - all things that we take for granted every day. Affectionately known as “our Alex”, our sport has been blessed to have the unconditional services of Alex Ryder for over 15 years.
The sport of Waka Ama has benefited immensely from his contribution and innovation, both nationally and internationally, and it is fair to say we would not be where we are today or have the systems in place to do what we do, if it had not been for Alex.
Alex’s skills extend beyond computers and coding. From 2008 to 2011 he worked with a new NKOA committee as Treasurer, to clear the organisation of debt and build the Board and governance structure we have in place today. Alex has been invaluable to our organisation and our sport, Our systems are the envy of many other sports in the country and we appreciate all that Alex has done and continues to do.
2016
Louise Henderson has also been involved in our sport since it began here in Aotearoa. A stalwart, she has been involved in every aspect of our sport, from national governance level at Nga Kaihoe for many years, as well as forming the Auckland Regional Outrigger Canoe association back in the early 90’s, to coaching all ages of teams.
She herself competed successfully at club, national and international level. As I have just mentioned, she (along with Ace Cuthers) was one of the founders of the Tamaki and Aratika Outrigger Canoe Clubs.
Louise Henderson is a pillar of knowledge and total dedication. On any given day you will find her coaching club or secondary school teams, or introducing all kinds of people to this wonderful sport. Louise is passionate, driven, and has had a positive and immense impact on our sport for over 27 years.
Together with her partner Ace Cuthers, both worked tirelessly to develop our sport. Although we unfortunately lost Ace in 2010, Louise has continued and even expanded her drive for the sport’s future development. She is now on the first governing body of the Auckland Regional Outrigger Canoe Association (AROCA).
(Posthumously)
In 1985, Ace voyaged with Matahi on the great Hawaiki Nui Voyage. Along with Louise Henderson, he was a founder of the Tamaki and Aratika outrigger canoe clubs. He was unwavering in his support of Waka Ama and coached thousands of paddlers over a twenty year period.
For many many years Ace could be found in the middle of our nationals race course, holding start flags and ensuring starts were fair for all. Always with a smile and a kind word for all, Ace often worked behind the scenes, out of view of any limelight. Ace’s contributions to our sport have been immense, and he is still clearly visible at our Nationals when we present the Ace Cuthers memorial Trophy to clubs who epitomise the values of our sport and the values which Ace lived by daily.
2015
(Posthumously)
One of the founders of the sport in Aotearoa New Zealand, Kris Kjeldsen, brought the sport to Pawarenga and helped to start the Ngā Hoe Horo Canoe Club. Kris had paddled Outrigger Canoes in California in the 60’s prior to moving to New Zealand.
With his vision, his building skills, and his passion for canoes and the ocean, Kris drove the building of the first fleet of waka and the hosting of the World Sprints in 1990. He helped to start the Ngā Hoe Horo Outrigger Canoe Club and founded Moana Nui Canoe Builders, which remains to this day the main manufacturer of waka ama in New Zealand.
Sadly we lost Kris in 2011. His contribution to the sport was immense, and we are reminded of his legacy daily as we paddle Moana Nui waka on oceans, rivers and lakes throughout Aotearoa and around the world.
One of the founders of the sport in Aotearoa/New Zealand, Matahi’s vision was for Waka Ama to spread across the land and become common in every community in Aotearoa. He started the first club in Gisborne, New Zealand (Mareikura) and was the first President of our organisation.
His vision, shared with Kris, Pili and others, has been the back bone of our sport’s growth. He has attended every National Sprint Championship since 1990 and has continued to assist and develop new clubs around the country. From the start of the 1st club there are now over 90 clubs throughout the land, from Kaitaia to Invercargill - an awesome achievement!
Another of our sports founders, Pili , originally from Samoa, moved to live in Ngunguru in the 1980’s and happened to meet Kris Kjeldsen. They shared a passion for the environment and a love for canoeing and the ocean. Kris assisted Pili and his family to carve a Samoan Pao-Pao (a small traditional two person fishing canoe.) It was the first Samoan Pao-Pao to be built in Aotearoa.
Pili joined forces with Matahi and Kris to drive the bid for the 1990 World Sprints, and he worked very hard to secure the funding required to make the event and the building of the fleet of canoes happen. Pili formed the Mitamitaga o le Pasefika Vaa' Alo Club in Ngunguru and he, Kris and Matahi really instigated the sport’s humble beginnings. Pili proved to be a great mediator and organiser, and his skills in forming lasting relationships really rounded out the trio’s skill set.
