| KORERO
HOROUTA..............
Our
name "Horouta" comes from our ancestral waka (canoe)
that sailed the Pacific from Hawaiki to Aotearoa (NZ) around
1000AD. These skilful sailors guided by their knowledge of the
winds, seabird behaviour, ocean currents and knowledge of the
stars, found Aotearoa (Land of the Long White Cloud) where they
settled and thrived. The waka "Horouta" is more associated
with the East Coast of New Zealand where many of the descendants
of these early travellers still live.
Our
club is based around Waka Ama or Outrigger Canoe paddling and
for some it is a year round lifestyle. Our focus each year is
the Annual National Sprints held at Lake Karapiro where all
our training and hard work is put to the test against the best
crews in the country.
IN
THE BEGINNING........................
Horouta
Waka Hoe Club was formed by a group of enthusiastic parents
and supporters in the winter of 1998. It was formed under an
existing sports club (Horouta Sports Club) but quickly found
it difficult to operate due to the decision making processes
we were bound by. A steering committee was elected until an
annual general meeting could be scheduled. so the serious business
of becoming an incorporated society, securing equipment and
organizing the club infrastructure could get under way.
The
Club was fortunate enough to borrow an old OC6 called "Rakaimataura",
affectionately nicknamed "the Barge", from a local
whanau. It was the meanest, heaviest and most crooked canoe
ever built, but it served our purpose admirably. From a local
tribal authority, Te Runanga O Ngati Porou, the club negotiated
a 12 month use of another OC6, "Porourangi". With
the "Barge" and 'Porourangi" the journey and
hard work began.
The
membership in the first year totalled around 84 competitive
members, most from the junior ranks. Casual, recreational paddlers
increased the overall membership to around 110.
With
funding from Hillary Commission, through the local District
Council and other grants, our first OC6 was ordered from
Victor Hawker of Seahawke Canoes. "Horouta" was blessed
and launched at a pre-dawn ceremony by local elders, in line
with early Maori custom. It was the first new OC6 canoe
in the region for 8 years.and still holds a special place in
the club and a favourite for many older members.
Unfortunately
"Porourangi" and "Rakaimataura" have long
since been returned to their owners and the priority since,
has been to increase resources to cater for the ever increasing
growth in paddler numbers.
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AND
NOW..........................
The
club has experienced a rapid growth in membership in the last
few years, particularly in the junior ranks ( 8 - 19 years old).
It was represented at the 2003 Sprint Nationals by over 160
paddlers competing in all divisions. The 2006 National Sprint
Squad was the most successful ever in the club's short history
and as in the 2002, 2003, 2004 Nationals, our club won
the highest overall medal tally and the most golds.of any competing
club there.
The
highlights of the 2006 Sprint nationals was a clean sweep of
the Open Mens Division, 8 golds from a possible 9 in the mens
divisions from the Under 19, Under 23 and Open Men, and the
continued dominance of the Hinerupe Maidens in the Under 16
Womens Divisions
OUR
FLEET
With
the delivery of our latest addition our fleet now includes:
8
x OC6 - Horouta, Paoa, Kahutia Te Rangi, Hinematioro, Maia,
Ruapani, Tuhorouta & Hikurangi.
5
x OC2 - Aurora, Kotuku, Kotare, Kuaka & Maui
7
x OC1 - Nanaia, Barney, Uncle Tom, Kuri, Hukataiora, Hinerupe
& Tawhaki
NEW
WAKA (March 2006)
Our
club has taken possession of our 7th new OC6 to be called Tuhorouta,
after another prominent tupuna and son of Tuwhakairiora, the
legendary fighting chief of the northerm Ngati Porou.
Here's
some Korero regarding Ruapani
The
early people of Turanganui-a-Kiwa
The
members of Te Aitanga-a-Mahaki, Rongowhakaata, Ngai Tamanuhiri
and Ngati Oneone (a sub-tribe of Te Aitanga-a-Hauiti) are descended
from voyagers on board the Te Ikaroa-a-Rauru, Horouta and Takitimu
canoes, which sailed from Hawaiki. Once in New Zealand, the
groups had intermingled and formed alliances. Important ancestors
were Maui, Paikea, Kiwa, Paoa, Hine Hakirirangi, Tamatea, Maia,
Porourangi, Hamo-te-Rangi, Tahupotiki, Ruapani, Kahungunu, Mahaki,
Rongowhakaata, Tamanuhiri and Hauiti.
AFFILIATIONS
Our
club affiliates, through our regional body Te Uranga O te Ra,
to the New Zealand Outrigger Canoe Association , Nga Kaihoe
O Aotearoa. (NKOA)
Our
region extends from Opotiki, in the Bay of Plenty, and includes
the East Coast down to Napier in the Hawkes Bay. The 8 member
clubs, that make up the region, meet on a semi regular basis.
Most
club members affiliate to either or both of our local tribal
authorities; Te Runanga O Ngati Porou and Te Runanga O Turanganui
A Kiwa both of whom have been supportive of our efforts
to build our infrastructure since the club's formation
back in 1998.
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