Te Taumutu Rūnanga Taumutu takes on the world
From 5-15 May, two of the Taumutu whānau took on the world’s best at the 2016 International Va’a Federation World Waka Ama Sprint Championships on the Sunshine Coast in Australia – and came home with some great results.
team, who topped the medal table for the first time, and also became the first country to ever beat the favourites Tahiti – winning a stunning 30 gold, 27 silver and 22 bronze medals across 77 events.
Adrian Tukaki and Craig Pauling, along with Wairewa teammate Iaean Cranwell, and their crew Aoraki Matatū, competed in the Master 40 Men grade, bringing home one world championship title and two silver medals in their three team events, while Adrian also picked up a bronze medal in the Masters V1 (single) 500m race.
Another Ngāi Te Ruahikihiki paddler, Kiliona TamatiTupa’i (nō Ōtākou, te whānau Tamati-Elliffe/Ellison) also became a world champion, winning gold in the Junior 16 Men V12 500m event, and a silver in the J16 V6 500m event with his team from Waitakere in Auckland. Kiliona is a rising star and has a great future in the sport by winning his first world gold at the tender age of 13. Look out for more from this one.
Their gold medal was won in the V12 (12 person) 500 metre event, by teaming up with South Auckland based crew Pineula and beating the reigning world champion Tahitian team by a nose. Their two silver medals were won in the V6 500m and 1000m races, just behind the champion Heelani team from Tahiti.
Reflecting on the world champs, Craig Pauling says the trip was an outstanding achievement and extremely satisfying. “It was an amazing week and an absolutely outstanding ride for our team. We have come a long way over the last 15 plus years and it is great to now be able to call ourselves world champions. We are so thankful for all the support we have received from our whānau, as well as our hapū and iwi” says Craig.
In doing so, Aoraki Matatū, from local club Te Waka Pounamu, confirmed their top national ranking and contributed to an outstanding result for the Aotearoa
Our team with our gold medals, Left to right: Adrian Tukaki, Iaean Cranwell, Ross Gilray, Todd Jago, Jack Wormald and Craig Pauling.
Action shot of our third turn – Craig at the back, Adrian is two seats in front and Iaean is in the left of the shot.
Japan trip
My name is Tahu Russell, son of Sharon Russell and moko of Maurice Nutira. I am a 17-year-old, deputy head boy at Kaiapoi High School. Two years ago I travelled to Chengdu, China where I stayed for seven days. This was a project run by the Christchurch Educated team and I was honoured to have been one of the six lucky students selected from the hundreds of nominated students. I was the only Māori student selected for the China trip and was able to stand and teach 2,000 Chinese students a haka. I have been invited to travel overseas again to the small town of Sendei in Japan from 8-22 July. This town holds our sister school and we hope to forge a stronger relationship with them. The purpose of the trip is to strengthen our education, to expand our culture and to give them a greater understanding of New Zealand and our people. As the only Māori student invited I am proud of my Kāi Tahu heritage and I want to introduce them to many aspects relating to Māori culture, including Kāi Tahu haka and waiata. 11