Maori Hui Attendees - Poihakena Marae

In a first for Surfing New Zealand a hui was held in the weekend for Maori to come together and work toward a strategic direction for Maori surfers.  The hui was a resounding success with attendees coming from Te Taitokerau (Northland), Tāmaki-Makau-rau (Auckland), Whaingaroa (Raglan), Tauranga Moana (Mt Maunganui), Turanganui a Kiwa (Gisborne), Ngati Porou (East Coast), Waitara (New Plymouth), Whanganui a Tara (Wellington) and Whakatane.  These included national title holders of which Maori have claimed ten out of the last twenty open men’s titles showing the prowess that Maori hold in the surfing arena.

The hui was the brainchild of Surfing New Zealand who has been working with Te Puni Kokiri (TPK) for the past three years on Maori initiatives. Since TPK’s involvement with Surfing New Zealand the organisation has carried out a number of highly successful initiatives.  Most recently this included the employment of a kaimahi Maori (employee) to manage the Maori projects already in place and also lay out the proposed projects – many of which came from the hui in the weekend.

The day comprised of several kaikorero (speakers) from Surfing New Zealand, Health Sponsorship Council, Water Safety New Zealand, Maori Media and our own sporting icon Daniel Kereopa – the face of surfing in New Zealand.

An open forum was staged to allow nga whakaaroa (ideas) to be brought forward for future funding and the direction Maori surfing needs to take as part of the strategic plan update this year.

Key areas of discussion took place which include:

TPK funding received and progress to date
Entry level surfing ideas
Participation
Resources
Water Safety
Coaching
Judging
The proposed Maori Tri Series
High performance coaching

Keep up to date with the outcomes from the hui on www.surfingnz.co.nz where course dates and new initiatives will be posted as well as information on how to get involved.