BACKGROUND

The annual Portage Crossing Harbour to Harbour Regatta and Family Festival is a revival and celebration of the traditional Mana Whenua route used by Tainui Waka captained by Hoturoa; when they discovered and named the Manukau Harbour after the numerous birds and Mangere after the lazy winds. The approval to revive this ancient route was given by the late Rua Cooper, Kaumatua of the Tainui Iwi, through the late Rev Haki Graham, in the presence of James Papali’i and Mrs Rose Cooper at their residence on the Manukau Harbour at Whatapaka, Karaka late 1991. One of the founding and current trustees of Portage Crossing Waka Ama Club is Barry Tumai who is also of Tainui descent.

The first Portage Crossing was held in February 1992 and Rua Cooper sent Ngaio Tupaea to represent Tainui at the Powhiri which was held on Portage Road, Otahuhu. Rua Kupa also named a 1990 waka ama that Manukau Outriggers had just brought, he named that waka Parera. Cr Christianson represented Auckland City Council and Deputy Mayor Kuku Wawatai represented Manukau City Council. Manukau Outrigger Canoeing Club Kaumatua present at the first crossing was the late Tehere Moana, and matai the late Papali’i Poutoa Papali’i, the late Savaiinaea Pita Williams, the late Fuimaono Joanne Williams and Susie Williams. The first Portage Crossing started at Tamaki Rugby league club, on the Tamaki Estuary, with the support of the late Ace Cuthers and Louise Henderson, and Orakei Kaumatua Alec Hawk. The crossing finished on the shores of Mangere at the boat club on Kiwi Esplanade, with a taiaha challenge from Mr Gilles Herewini of Mangere.