Maori surfing titles returns to its birth place

Aotearoa’s biggest gathering of Maori surfers will return to Taranaki this year.

The 2016 Aotearoa Maori Surfing Titles will take place in the region, which is the birth place of the esteemed event, during Labour Weekend and be hosted by Waitara Bar Board Riders Club.

The event, which was first held in Taranaki in 1993, has long been held in high regard and has unearthed a number of young surfing talents. WBBRC president Jamie Andrews, who is himself a talented surfer and former member of the Maori Surfing Team, said he was is looking forward to hosting manuhiri (visitors) from around Aotearoa.

Those attending could expect Whanaungatanga (kinship) and Manaakitanga (hospitality, generosity and kindness) plus the challenge of surfing at the best possible surf on offer along the wave-rich Taranaki coastline, he said.

‘‘The competition will be a mobile event held in the Taranaki Rohi (area) at the best spot on the day, anywhere from Mokau to Patea,’’ Andrews said.

‘‘Taranaki has a staunch history of Te Ngaru Toa (wave warriors) some who have dominated the New Zealand surfing scene from the early 80s and 90s in to the 2000’s.

‘‘Names like Jason Mathews, Pipi Ngaia, Jason Lellmen, Brent Hutchieson, Motu and Dwayne Mataa, Kylie Pullen, Jayson Zimmerman and Bachelor and Thandi Tipene all have a proud Taranaki background,’’ he said.

Andrews said hosting the titles would allow the club to show their community and club members what Maori surfers were capable of and what could be achieved in the sport. Surfers from both the North and South Island and numerous Iwi the length of the country are expected to participate at this year’s titles.

The event will commence with a powhiri on Friday evening, followed by two days of surfing and a poroporoaki on Sunday evening to conclude.