Waka training at beach draws crowds
A waka tangata crewed by youth from Te Tauihu iwi Nga¯ ti Apa ki te Ra¯ To¯ drew crowds of curious onlookers at Nelson’s Ta¯hunanui Beach this week and provided a rare sight for commuters along Rocks Rd.
Launched by the iwi at Lake Rotoiti in November, Te Haeata, which translates as ‘‘a new dawn’’, was in Whakatu¯ with the iwi’s flagship cultural leadership programme for young people, Mana Rangatahi.
The programme, now in its sixth year, sees about 30 rangatahi travel to wahi tapu¯ , or areas sacred to the iwi, across the top of the south for a week of intensive training focused on language and cultural revitalisation. Previous wa¯ nanga have been held at Kaiteriteri, Motueka,
To¯ taranui/Queen Charlotte Sound, Rotoiti, and Anamahanga/Port Gore.
Nga¯ti Apa ki te Ra¯ To¯ cultural adviser Kiley Nepia said the interest from the community during the group’s week in Nelson had been overwhelming and had paved the way for conversations that otherwise would not have taken place.
‘‘People have been really interested and keen to learn more. The sight of the rangatahi training on the beach alongside our beautiful waka tangata is something I guess you don’t see every day, [and] the response has been really heartening.
‘‘It’s also been quite emotional and significant for us to be paddling Te Haeata in Te Tai-o-Aorere (Tasman Bay). To be out there with our rangatahi, to paddle the same waters as our ancestors, it’s been magic and hard to put into words, really.
‘‘Despite the hardships, we’re still here, we’re revitalising our traditions, and we are steadily building the next generation of leaders.’’
The group made a special visit to Natureland on Thursday, where it was hosted by Nga¯ti Koata Trust tuatara handler Mike Elkington.
Nepia said it was an experience the rangatahi would never forget.
‘‘We’re just so proud, of our own rangatahi for putting in the hard yards but also of the work being done in this area by other iwi. It’s another meaningful connection we have made.’’
‘‘The sight of the rangatahi training on the beach alongside our beautiful waka tangata is something I guess you don’t see every day.’’ Kiley Nepia,
Nga¯ti Apa ki te Ra¯ To¯ cultural adviser