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Auahi Kore Maori Tri Series Set to Explode Onto the Scene |
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Written by Ben Kennings
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Thursday, 29 May 2008 |
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 The Auahi Kore Māori Tri Series explodes onto the Gisborne coastline this weekend 31st May. The perfect conditions forecast will allow New Zealand’s top Māori surfers to open this new series in the best possible way. A good turn out of seasoned competitors as well as talented local surfers is expected to attend the event.
The Auahi Kore Māori Tri Series evolved as a result of Surfing New Zealand’s three year partnership with Te Puni Kōkiri and their investment into whānau development – sport and cultural fund. The Auahi Kore Māori Tri Series stops off at Gisborne first followed by the Bay of Plenty on the 14th of June and Raglan on the 21st of June. The Tri Series provides Māori surfers the chance to compete in a professionally run surf event but in a more community based environment.
The Māori surfing population by no means takes a back seat in the surfing history of Aotearoa. Māori surfers stake claim to ten national titles since 1988 – the New Zealand Championships being the most prestigious and longest running event in New Zealand.
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Richard Christie - Image NZ Surfing Magazine
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Gisborne and the surrounding regions of the East Cape and Mahia was always the obvious choice to kick off the Tri Series commented event co-ordinator Chris Malone, himself a national title holder “Gisborne is the first city to see the sun and is a hotbed of the countries best surfers and many of them are Māori. The likes of Richard Christie, Buck Woods and Johnny Hicks are three of the latest up and coming surfers to emerge from the region” commented Malone “You also have a lot of the older crew in Gisborne who have been mentors for these younger surfers, guys like the Daly brothers, James Fowell, Chris Ransley, and the Williams, Swann and Procter whanau”.
Christie himself originally hails from Mahia but now lives in Gisborne. He has won the Māori Titles as well as the National Champs and is now New Zealand’s highest rated surfer on the Australasian Pro Junior Series.
The Bay of Plenty surfers are also making the journey south. A team of close to 15 surfers have been ‘amping’ for the event ever since word got out at the Māori Surfers hui earlier this month. The team includes Tim O’Conner, Kahn Butler, Ryan Elliot, Ronnie Mayor, Peri Matenga, James Atutahi, Hone Douglas and Kahu Craig Te Ranga.
The event is a one day affair with all surfers welcome to stay at the Ohako Marae in Manutuke. Divisions include open men and women, under 18 men and over 35 men and longboard. Entry fees are $10 and there are limited places in the draw so get in while you can.
See below for future dates of the Auahi Kore Māori Tri Series:
Event One – 31st May, Gisborne
Event Two – 14th June, Bay of Plenty
Event Three – 21st June, Raglan
A full media release will be distributed post event. For further information regarding the Auahi Kore Māori Tri Series, please contact Chris Malone at Surfing New Zealand on 021 984937 or 07 8250018 or email chris.malone@surfingnz.co.nz.
The Auahi Kore Māori Tri Series would not be possible without the support of Te Puni Kōkiri, Auahi Kore, Quiksilver, Roxy and Billabong.
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