Team History

In the early 90's The Billabong Indigenous invitational in Australia was a key event that helped Maori surfers measure their surfing abilities at an international level. Competing against top aboriginal surfers highlighted that Maori surfers were right up there with the best in the world.

The introduction of the Oceania Surfing Cup provided the Maori Team with the opportunity to test their surfing ability against the Pacific Island Nations. A Maori team has been attending this annual event for approximately 10 years and has won the prestigious team champion title on numerous occasions.

From June 30th to July 5th The Auahi Kore Maori Surf Team were invited by the 2008 host nation Tahiti to attend the Oceania Cup at Papara Beach.  Due to some teams being unable to make it management were given the opportunity to take a second team.

click here to see team selection process

Aotearoa Maori Surfing Team 2008

Open
Morehu Roberts (Gisborne) Iwi: Rongowhakaata,  Bachelor Tipene(Taranaki ) Iwi- Ngati Ruanui

Women
Sophie Moore (Muriwai) Iwi: Te Atiawa,  Thandi Durham (Nth Land) Iwi: Ngapuhi

Longboard
Chris Malone (Gisborne/Raglan) Iwi: Te Aitanga-a-Mahaki

Management
Chris Malone(Gisborne/Raglan) Iwi: Te Aitanga-a-Mahaki

International team Judge
Mark (stockie) Stockman (Tai Tokerau/Raglan) Iwi: Nga Puhi

Kaiwhakahaere
Steve Ria (Gisborne)Iwi: Ngati Ruapani/ Rongowhakaata .

Team 2

Open
Motu Maata  (Taranaki) Iwi: Te Arawa , Chris Malone (Gisborne/Raglan) Iwi: Te Aitanga-a-Mahaki

Juniors
Peri Matenga (Mt Manuganui) Iwi: Tainui ,   James Tume (Wellington) Iwi: Tuwharetoa

Longboard
Issac Johnson (Mangawhai) Iwi:  Ngapuhi

Aotearoa Maori Surfing Team 2008
National Team Flags Pacific Island Nations

History Oceania Surfing Cup

The Inaugural Oceania Surfing Cup (OSC) was hosted by the Fiji Surfing Association in 1997 and was held at Tavarua Island Resort. The event was jointly sponsored by Rip Curl and Tavarua Island and attracted teams from 8 Oceania nations. The success of the Inaugural Tavarua Oceania Cup and an outstanding amount of hard work by the Fiji Surfing Assocation helped to secure continued support and sponsorship up to the year 2000.

The groundwork by the Fiji Surfing Association and Tavarua Island has been invaluable and has created a milestone in the history of surfing in the South Pacific. This has resulted in an annual regional surfing event that brings together national surfing champions from throughout Oceania The continued support by all Oceania surfing associations is testimony to how highly regarded this event has become.

Following the unexpected withdrawal of Rip Curl’s sponsorship of the OSC in 2000 and the short time in which to organize the event for 2001, the Tonga Surfriders Association offered to host the OSC 2001 with the sponsorship of Quiksilver, Royal Tongan Airlines and Ha’atafu Beach Surf Resort in Tonga.  These same 3 sponsors continued to support the OSC from 2001 - 2003 whilst other Oceania surfing associations developed their capacities to host the event.

In 2004 the Australian Aboriginal Surfing Association raised their hand to host the OSC and the event was held at Fingal Beach on the NSW north coast. Unfortunately no major sponsor was secured for the event but that was more than adequately compensated for by local sponsors. Fun waves were had and a great experience for all who attended.

The 2005 OSC was hosted by Norfolk Island and for a little island they did a magnificent job and what a beautiful place. Participate were thankful to Damian Snell and the Norfolk Island Surfing Association members for their administration professionalism and incredible hospitality.
A truly memorable OSC.

Samoa was the venue for the 2006 OSC with Salani Surf Resort and many local Samoan businesses sponsoring the event. The Samoa Surfing Association as a young body did a great job of rallying their local surfers to assist to make the OSC a successful and fun event.

The New Caledonia Surfing Association in conjunction with Quiksilver hosted the 2007 OSC. Competition was held at Ouano Pass which produced some of the best contest surf experienced in the history of the event. Much credit to Barry Gatefeit and the New Caledonian surfers for a fantastic competition and warm hospitality.

The Tahitian Surfing Association were very excited to present and host the 2008 Coca Cola OSC. Participants were greeted with a great display of Tahitian culture, hospitality and competitive surf. Support from local communities,  regional organizations and government officials was testament to the Tahitian Federations commitment to the development of the Oceania Surfing Cup and South Pacific surfing. Pascal Luciani, Ingrid Boucher and their team of committed administrators were instrumental in the success of the event.

Oceania results since 1997

Oceania Open Mens Champions

Oceania Junior Mens Champions

1997 -  Michael Burling    -  Tonga
1998 -  Jai Earnshaw       -  New Zealand
1999 -  Michael Burling    -  Tonga
2000 -  Michael Burling    -  Tonga
2001 -  Michael Burling    -  Tonga
2002 -  Rory Togo            -  Australia
2003 -  Michel Bourez     -  Tahiti
2004 -  Arlon Formosa     -  Australia
2005 -  Richard Christie   -  New Zealand
2006 -  Heifara Tahutini   -  Tahiti
2007 -  Jocelyn Poulou   -  Tahiti

Oceania Open Womens Champions

1999 -  Elaina Kacimaiwai  -  Fiji
2000 -  Carli Lovell             -  Fiji
2001 -  Jessica Terrill         -  New Zealand
2002 -   Jessica Terrill        -  New Zealand
2003 -  Anne-Laure Come  -  Tahiti
2004 -  Marina Sandford     -  Tahiti
2005 -  ‘Anau Burling         -  Tonga
2006 -  ‘Anau Burling         -  Tonga
2007 -   Patricia Rossi        -  Tahiti 

Oceania Longboard Champions

2003 -  Patrick Laux          -  Tahiti
2004 -  Michael Burling      -  Tonga
2005 -  Michael Burling      -  Tonga
2006 -  Michel Dermont     -  Tahiti
2007 -  Michael Burling      -  Tonga

Stocky & Papara Locals	Auahi Kore Maori Team Members
Kai time with Motz & Sophie	King Keg
Bach & Thandi	Tahiti Haka
Our local host Noel Chave	Hearae,Steven,Motz,& Teva
Powhiri with the locals	The brothers
Bach & Thandi on the Teahuupo boat	Pukana !!
Aboriginal & Maori Team	Local Waihine
Bach at Teahuupo	Groms at the Whare