Conan Herbert SportsForce Waka Ama Development Officer

 
Kia Ora

My name is Conan Herbert and I am the Sports Force Waka Ama Development officer. I have been involved with Waka Ama since a young age. I have coached and competed at a high level and am looking forward to helping the growth of Waka Ama in the Waikato.

In 1981 Matahi Whakataka-Brightwell observed Waka Ama racing in Tahiti, became inspired, and the seed was sown for a revival of Waka Ama in Aotearoa New Zealand. Matahi founded the Mareikura Canoe Club on the East Coast in July 1985. In January 1986, Okahu Bay Canoe Club was formed in Auckland, followed by Nga Hoe Horo o Pawarenga and Mitamitaga o le Pasefika Vaa' Alo in the North in May 1987.

From these humble beginnings the national body, Nga Kaihoe o Aotearoa, has grown into an organisation with six regions and over 80 clubs, spreading from Kaitaia to Dunedin.

Waka Ama now has a registered membership of 5,000 paddlers and there are an estimated 10,000 additional paddlers who are not registered members. The week long National Championships now consistently attracts upwards of 2,000 competitors. In addition, Waka Ama is also the fastest growing team sport in secondary schools. Paddlers range in age from 7 to over 70 and, although predominantly of Maori and Pacific Islands ethnicity, Waka Ama includes paddlers from very diverse ethnic backgrounds. The sport offers a unique whanau (extended family) atmosphere allowing parents, grandparents, children and mokopuna (grandchildren) to all paddle at the same event.

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