Ma¯ ori title a dream come true
Adream Ngāti Awa surfer Levi Stewart has had since he was a 12-year-old was finally realised over the weekend after taking out the 2022 Aotearoa Māori Surfing Titles at Ahipara. The win was a first for Stewart, who joined defending champion Natasha Gouldsbury (Te A¯ ti Awa) as winners of the premier Tāne and Wāhine Divisions.
More than 100 surfers from 21 iwi took to the waters in Ahipara across 14 divisions — ranging from under-14s through to over-45s — for just the second time in 26 years the competition has been held in Te Tai Tokerau.
Mana whenua held a pō whiri on Friday night for the manuhiri, who were welcomed to stay at Roma Marae during the competition.
On the first day of the competition, a h¯ıkoi of cars ventured up SH1 before traversing through the forest and popping out at the Bluff to be greeted by big 1.5 — 2m waves and perfect offshore winds.
The northern side of the Bluff offered up some pumping waves on the right tides, along with some challenging conditions through the day.
The exhibition put on in the Open Tāne was amazing all day, and none more so than when during the finals, under the glare of the setting sun, Stewart surfed to a 16.10 point heat total.
“I was just over getting second the last few times; to Bach [Tipene] in Taranaki, then again to Kehu [Butler] here last time in 2020. So, I just wanted to win this one so much,” Stewart said.
“No more messing around — get it done and put it to bed.”
Stewart matched up against two of his heroes and young local Northland surfer Te Kauwhata Kauwhata (Ngāpuhi) in the final, with Chris Malone (Te Aitanga-a-Māhaki) placing second, Ricardo Christie (Ngāpuhi) taking third and Kauwhata coming in fourth.
“Ric is my biggest hero. I have grown up watching him surf, so to have him in the final and get one over him — I feel very lucky. Same with Bugsy (Chris Malone),” Stewart said.
The Māori titles are one of the first events
Stewart ever participated in — the meaning of the win was evident at the poroporoaki, when he accepted his trophy.
“This is an event that I have always held close to my heart. It is one of my favourites,” Stewart said.
“To compete at the event since a young kid growing up watching it, watching all the past winners and now to be able to win the Open Men’s . . . feels pretty special.”
Te A¯ ti Awa retained the Iwi of Origin by way of Gouldsbury, with support from her teammates, after she claimed three titles at the event.
Gouldsbury surfed in four heats on the final day, slowly running out of steam, but not before winning all three divisions contested.
“I’m drained. The surf is big, the current is gnarly. I was out there in the longboard and then in the Juniors as well, where we got smashed, then again in the Open,” said a tired Gouldsbury.
“I won the title in 2020 and was able to defend it this weekend — I kinda brought the trophy up on a holiday.
“But seriously, you don’t usually get to drive through forests and on beaches to find pumping waves. It’s a cool event, but these types of adventures make it even better.”
Gouldsbury took the win over motherdaughter combo Renee Ruddell (Te Rarawa) and Indi-Lee Ruddell (Te A¯ ti Awa), with Kiri Binnersley (Ngāti Porou) placing fourth.
In the Senior Men’s divisions, Chris Malone (Mahaki) made up for his runner-up finish in the Open Tāne, winning both the Over-35 and Over-45 Men’s Divisions.
Gouldsbury (Te A¯ ti Awa) and Navryn Malone (Te Aitanga-a-Māhaki) were victorious in the Under 18 divisions, claiming the $500 Surfline scholarships.