Andy Campbell

Ōtorohanga arborist Noel Galloway has been crowned the fastest tree climber in the country after smashing the record at the rural games in Palmerston North.
On the same tree used for national competition, Galloway bettered the previous best time on the elm by eight second.
Tree climbing is an arborist sport and all the competitors are arborists.
Competitors start near the top of the 15 metre elm tree and must complete a number of arboreal tasks about the tree and finish by jumping onto a bullseye on the ground.
Galloway’s time was one minute 38 seconds. Four-time winner Scott Morris’ best time was 1m53s, Barton Allan-Hall – the current back to back world champions – produced a best of 1m 57s and current New Zealand champion Sam Smith’s best time last year was 1.46
The Ōtorohanga arborist knows the tree well - he’s been competing on it since the competition was moved to Palmerston North from Queenstown in 2017 – when his bet time was 2m 35s.
“With the rural games the last couple of years they have run region v region and male/female… there used to be a trans-Tasman clash, but I don’t know if they have the funds to bring Aussies over anymore,” he said.
“That’s the thing with small sports, there’s not much funding.”
While all competition climbers are current arborists, not all arborists are tree climbers.
“Not everyone likes to enjoy it outside of work I suppose. I enjoy climbing trees, looking after them.”
He was advised to enter tree climbing competitions while on an arboriculture course at Wintec.
“It helps you to keep up to date on equipment that’s coming through, and often there’s international people coming to those comps,” he said. “…so you get to see a different style of climbing as well.”
Arborists, like rock climbers, use harnesses, ropes, carabiners, pulleys, climbing irons ascenders/descenders, rigging gear and cambium straps.
“Most of the devices we can go up and down on, where rock climbing is only one way or the other,” Noel said.
And style?
“A lot of people don’t realise where they can do big swings and descends, and how they can get out into certain areas of a tree unless someone else has done it before you.
"Otherwise you are governed by your training, and the people that are the best in your company.”
In competition, tree climbers use no spikes, it’s all balance, Noel said.
“At rural games it’s a work climb tree, so you have a hand saw station, pole saw station, limb toss station,” he said.
“You start at the top of the tree, descend and do all the different things on the way down.
“You have a bucket in the tree with a couple of sticks in it that have to be thrown at a target on the ground.
“The last one is the plumb bob station where on a long low branch it shows how the climber keeps all his weight on the anchor point of the rope, because the more weight you put on that branch the lower the plumb bob goes. And you lose points along the way. The less movement, the higher your points are.”
There are also points to be earned at the landing station at the bottom of the tree on the ground which is like a bullseye.
“There are more points if you land two feet in the bulls eye, as opposed to outside the bullseye.”
Galloway won a $1000 Husqvarna voucher and a trophy for the rural games speed climb.
The competition at the rural games was picked from the highest ranked climbers in the regions - Auckland, Waikato, Wellington and the South Island. The Waikato region is similar to the Chiefs territory extending to Taranaki.
Galloway is heading to Malaysia at the end of April to compete in the Pacific tree climbing championships, and from there he hopes to secure entry into the worlds, which will be held in this year in the US.
He been an arborist since 2011 and has worked with WEL Networks, Spectrum Tree Works in Waipā, and for a private estate in Karāpiro. He also worked for Wilson Trees at Pirongia and spent a couple of years as a contract climber.

Noel scales the heights

Staff Reporter

With the Easter break coinciding with the early part of the Roar hunting season, there will likely be big numbers of hunters taking to the bush this long weekend.

Recreational firearms’ user groups have been co-ordinating their messaging this year to ensure safety remains top of mind to the thousands of hunters who might take to the hills and bush chasing roaring stags or croaking bucks this autumn.

Te Tari Pūreke – Firearms Safety Authority, which chairs the Recreational Firearms Users Group, says New Zealand hunters in general have a good culture around firearms safety, but it takes only one mistake to ruin many people’s lives and the deer roar has a spike in these types of incidents.

“Recreational hunting is a big part of many New Zealanders lives,” said Te Tari Pūreke director of partnerships Mike McIlraith.

“We just want everyone involved to have a great time away and to head home safe at the end to their loved ones.”    

Mike said keeping themselves and others in their hunting area safe took more than luck.

“We’ve boiled it down to three key reminders for hunters this year – make a plan for your hunt and stick to it; always treat every firearm as loaded; and identify your target beyond all doubt.”

He added hunters were lucky to be hunting in a time of high deer numbers in many

places with lots of opportunities for deer.

Hunters don’t need to be in a rush to shoot the first deer they see; they should take their time, and wait until they see the whole animal.

“All of this helps to keep the hunter calm and make 100 percent sure they have identified their target.

“If they have any doubts, then don’t shoot,” he says.

“Hunters shouldn’t feel pressured to take the shot – no meat or no trophy is better than no mate.

“We want all hunters to have a great roar trip and come home safely.”

Don't rely on luck to stay safe this roar

Paul Charman

THIS week 30 rugby players from Robert Bateman Secondary School, Vancouver, made Ōtorohanga the first stop of a month-long tour of New Zealand and Australia.

The visitors, whose school has made several previous visits to Ōtorohanga, will spend two weeks in each country. They arrived on Saturday and played Ōtorohanga at the Island Reserve on Tuesday night.

The visitors beat the home side 32-26, despite Ōtorohanga scoring two impressive late tries in an attempted comeback. However, it was generally agreed that Bateman Secondary deserved their win.

The visitors left for Papamoa College yesterday morning and after that they were to return to Hamilton for another secondary school game, before flying to Australia. Their first game across the ditch was to be against a school side in Manly.  

“Due to Covid, we had a few hoops to jump through last time when it came to accommodation,” said Ōtorohanga’s teacher in charge of rugby Leighton Parsons.

“This made it a bit hard to arrange billets for everyone this time, so consequently we billeted the staff, while the boys stayed at the Palm Court Motel.”

It is the third time Leighton has been involved with hosting the Canadians, whose school aims to arrange a rugby tour of the Antipodes about every five years.

“Yes, it’s been great – they just keep coming back and we always have a good, hard and close game of rugby. They beat us last time by a try.

“The game at Island Reserve on Wednesday night was the last of the season for the Canadians, but the first of the season for us.

“We’re just coming out of summer, while they’ve just finished their season back home.”

Leighton said this kind of goodwill tour was always a fantastic experience for students at both schools.

Speaking to the visitors, he’d been told they were excited and looking forward to every detail of the tour.

“Several boys told me that it was among the best experience of their lives. And for our boys, getting to meet rugby players their own age from another country is awesome as well.”

Highlights included Monday night, when the 30 visitors divided up to form four netball teams to contest a mini tournament against mixed teams from Ōtorohanga. This was followed by a mix and mingle. There was an official welcome, with a pōwhiri at the college on Tuesday morning.

Canadian rugby boys stop in

Sigrid Christiansen

Tahāroa has a passion for hōiho – so when the community’s junior league team, nicknamed the Mini Steelers, needed to buy new uniforms, a community ride was a “no brainer”, according to keen rider and co-organiser Josh Morgan.

The resulting trek last weekend was a fundraiser for the Tahāroa Steelers Junior Rugby League – which has two teams: under-6 and under-9.

On Saturday, more than 80 riders met at Tahāroa Domain for a 9am karakia before trekking out along the coastline.

The group enjoyed a five-hour adventure through bush and farmland, with high points providing spectacular views down to the black sand beaches.

The next day included riding lessons for the children and mustering a family of wild horses  from the bush.  

All up, the weekend achieved its initial goal of supporting the Mini Steelers.

The ride also played a part in sparking a bigger idea: starting a Māori riding club to get rangatahi outside and re-connect them with horsemanship.

“So many young people today are just on their PlayStations; we used to just jump on a horse before we could walk,” Josh said.

“We want to get our youth back into riding.

“They can benefit so much from being involved with horses.

“There’s a lot of talent out here, and they don’t always get the opportunity to be part of the equestrian world. We want to help them improve their horsemanship and learn how to care for horses,” Josh said.

“It’s all about giving our tamariki opportunities, as a lot comes down to affordability and having a family that’s already involved in it.

“I always wanted to do rodeo from a young age but had no pathway, so I never got the opportunity.

“I would love to create a pathway to help our tamariki who are passionate about horses, learn the skills to further their passion,” he said.

Josh is currently exploring the options regarding a location and insurance.

The group would bring local young people a positive skill set, teaching them responsibility through caring for animals, and giving them the opportunity to compete in a challenging sport that can take them places in life.

Community members interested in supporting the initiative can contact him directly or through King Country News.

Formerly riding under the banner of Māori horse association Te Hapori Hōiho, the Tahāroa riders have recently chosen a new name and logo for their political rides.

These have included bringing their horses up to Waitangi and the hui-ā-motu this year. They are now known as the Rangatira Riders.

Horse trek leads to bigger things

WAITANGURU will hold its annual motorbike trail ride this weekend – with fresh tracks and a cracking BBQ. As always, it’s a fundraiser for the community hall.

On Sunday, trail bike lovers can enjoy farmland which is normally off-limits to the public, in a district well-known for its limestone karst formations and lush forests. The area was also famously one of the locations used in The Hobbit.

“This is one of the premier North Island trail rides covering the scenic King Country.

“There are good tracks which are well-marked, with plenty of character,” hall committee member David Ronaldson said.

‘There will be native bush, bulldozed tracks, grassed farm tracks and plenty of hills.

“Every year, we head a different direction on the compass, ensuring you won’t be riding flogged-out tracks filled with bumps and kickers from previous years. It also makes it easier on the landowners.

“For people who come every year, it will be something different.

“There’s something for everyone – on the main track, there’s bush, mud, and a fair bit of fast country.

“We haven’t done this track in quite a few years.

“And we don’t charge the earth.

“We have a 40-kilometre track open all day, a 3km beginner track, and a simple track for the little kiddies.

“The last two options are great for those who are still building their confidence,” David said.

He said the community would be providing food for only the second time. There would be a BBQ, hot dogs, and hot chips.

“The food’s pretty hard to beat.”

Fellow committee member Brice Fredrickson said he was looking forward to this year’s route, which would take riders into one of the district’s famous big stations, known for hosting shearing records.

“There are more bush tracks year, and we’ll go into the back blocks of Puketiti station,” he said.

The district is 20 minutes west of Piopio, 50 minutes north of Awakino or 40 minutes south of Te Kūiti.

The ride will be signposted from the south end of Piopio township. As with many such events, two-wheelers, four-wheelers and conventional side-by-sides are all welcome. It is suitable for all ages including competent young riders, the organisers say.

The tracks are open 9-3pm. For more information, please contact Brice Frederickson 07 877 8878, or Waitanguru Hall, Facebook page.

Trail ride for community hall

Te Kūiti twins Lily-Rose and Levi Morehu are BMXing to Adelaide early next month to compete in the Australian BMX national series.

Lily-Rose made the Mighty Eleven New Zealand junior test team, ahead of Levi, but BMX NZ has a policy of including siblings, mum Kim Berry said.

“I think they do it with all siblings who can go just to be part of it still.  Because they’re twins, I think they were making a bigger deal about it.”

They fly out on April 5 and will spend 10 days training in Adelaide at the Sam Willoughby International BMX Facility ahead of the competition on April 13 and14.

Levi tried out for the boys’ team but just missed out, coming fifth in the semi-final where he needed fourth or better.

“He’s allowed to come across and train with the New Zealand team in a special memorial class.

“He’s entered that and will compete as an individual.

“He just won’t be wearing the black jersey as such,” Kim said.

“He gets to join in all the activities they do with the New Zealand team.”

The BMX was originally bought for Levi. Kim said Lily-Rose only started doing it because she didn’t want to only watch.

“She watched for a little while, then she said ‘stuff this mum. If I have to watch, I want to do it’.

This is only the second year they have been competing. Kim said at the nationals in Hastings last week, Levi was up against about 40 boys, many of whom had previous international experience.

“But that’s all they do. Levi does a lot of other sports as well, and they have been doing it forever.”

The twins ride for Te Awamutu BMX and regularly compete at other tracks about the Central North Island.

BMXNZ will pay for Lily's trip, but Levi and the rest of the family must pay for their flights and 10 days’ accommodation – with only three weeks to organise.

She said it was costing $20,000 for the 10 kids she said.

“The parents’ accommodation and Levi's is all on us for 10 days, that took the shine off it a little bit.”

The family is fund raising and people wanting to assist with the travel can email Kim at morhut.kb@gmail.com

BMX twins off to Adelaide

YOUNG MotoX competitors had a blast at the King of the Schools MotoX Challenge, held at Te Kūiti earlier this month, thanks to the North King Country Motorcycle Club and many dedicated community members.

Two local schools took out the gold and silver.

Ōtorohanga South school placed second for the first time.  And a proud Kio Kio school were the overall winners of the competition, which attracted 387 riders.

Parents on both sides of the friendly competition have been celebrating since.

Ōtorohanga school mum Kelly Gray – whose sons Even and Sam competed – was thrilled with the results, saying there was always a little good-natured rivalry between the two schools.

Their results included: Ben Gaylor 8-11 85cc class 9th overall, Cooper Bennett – Pro65 class 4th overall, Evan Gray- 65cc 7-8 class 1st overall, Hendrik Lee – 50cc MX 6-8 class 9th overall and Mason Fordham – 50cc intro Mx 5-7 class 9th overall, Kelly said.

In total, 122 schools arrived from as far north as Dargaville, as far south as Wellington and as far east as Hawke’s Bay.

There were seven mini track classes and 10 big track classes.

Each rider competed in three 10-minute motos, with the points added.  

The Kio Kio riders were Jack Bojesen-Trepka, 50cc, 6-8yrs; Deklan Burton 65cc, 7-8yrs, 4th; Brody Pease, 65cc, 7-8yrs; Flynn Neustroski Trail, 7-11yrs 4th; and Tate Burdon, 65CC, 9-11yrs 1st.

Ann Burdon, the mum of Tate Burdon, said for the Kio Kio boys, the thrill of winning had stayed fresh.

“Enjoying the podium for another year was as exciting as winning it for the first time,” she said.

Flynn from Kio Kio received the sportsmanship award for his outstanding contribution to motoX on the day.

The overall results are based on the averaging of points over several events.

North King Country – King of the Schools 2024 was held at the North King Country Motorcycle Club 376 Mangarino Road, Te Kūiti.

Helensville Primary came third.

King of the Schools MotoX Challenge

Contributed

Te KŪiti Bowling Club’s March Tournament was held on a perfect autumn day and the green was presented in excellent condition.

Sponsors for the day were WT and DI Green Contracting whose support is hugely appreciated.

The principals of this business, Wiari and Desiree Green, were on hand to present the prizes and enjoy the after-match fellowship.

Ten teams entered the fray and there were a lot of fiercely contested matches as indicated by the final results.

The outright winner on the day was the Kihikihi team of Owen Johnson (skip), Clark Ambury and Brian Quinlan with three wins and a draw.

Following this was one team with one win and two draws and six teams with two wins each. These were separated by ends won, to determine second and third place.

Ahead of the pack were the Te Kūiti team of Geoff Mc Manus, Sue Elliott and Jack Johnson with one win, two draws and 19 ends won.

Jack is a 10-year-old who is new to bowling and this is the second occasion he has featured in a prize-winning team. “Well done Te Kūiti for nurturing and encouraging this great kid,” Clark said.

In third place, with two wins and 17 ends won were Pirongia, represented by Neville Northcott (skip), Steve Stockdale and Graeme Lyle with 17 ends won.

The next tournament is Sunday, April 14. This will be the last of this current season.

Perfect day for a tourney

THE Te Waitere Mountain Bike Ride has returned post-Covid as the fundraiser for the Te Waitere  Boat Club.

There are two courses for the April 6 event: a 17-kilometre mountain bike ride or 50km mountain bike ride over farms and through native forest on the southern side of Kāwhia harbour.

Entrants need a mountain bike that can go off road as the track is at times, challenging, organisers say.

Walking some of the steeper terrain is an option and e-bikes are welcome.

“Just make sure you and your e-bike are practised enough to go off road. And remember the Te Waitere Classic is not a race. Enjoy the ride and the views,” club secretary Titia Allaries said

The last attempt to hold the mountain bike ride was in 2020, which was cancelled because of Covid.

The rides start from the Te Waitere Boat Club at 8.30am.

Registration is by the event website, tewaitereclassic.co.nz  

The Te Waitere Ride is mainly unchanged from the previous ride.  

However, the second part of the Taumata ride has changed to include more native bush and private farmland.  

“We are very grateful to our local farm and forestry owners who have once more given permission for this event to take place on their lands,” Titia said.

The Te Waitere MountainBike Ride is the boat club’s fundraiser for the maintenance of the historic whaleboats the club races in a sport unique to Kāwhia harbour.

The club races two whaleboats, the blue boat, a 1992 replica, and the brown boat, which is one of the original whaleboats that arrived in Kāwhia in 1910.

The antique boats are expensive

to maintain because the skills required are labour intensive and now rare. In 2019, the repair bill from the Auckland-based NZ Traditional Boat Building School for work on the blue boat was about $30,000.

The materials are also hard to find. The boats are planked in kauri, about 6 millimetres thick and 30 centimetres wide, narrowing toward the ends. The boat building school has had a relationship with three Kāwhia whaleboat racing clubs for about a decade after being contacted about replacement oars.

Pedalling for whaleboat fundraiser

SEVERAL King Country shearers and woolhandlers took home ribbons from the Golden Shears in Masterton last weekend.

Kāwhia’s Kelly Barrett came third in the junior woohandling, while the winner of the senior woolhandling was Vinniye Phillips from Taumarunui.

Rahera Kerr of Hauturu placed fourth in her category.

The King Country shearers were, as always, a strong contingent at the prestigious event.

First in senior shearing went to Forde Alexander of Taumarunui, while Jack Fagan came third in the PGG Circuit Final.

The winner of the North Island Woolhandling Circuit was Keryn Herbert of Te Kūiti.  

The winner of that event usually joins the Transtaman woolhandling team.

However, because Herbert competed for Cook Islands at last year’s World Championships in Scotland where she placed 6th, she forfeited her place to second placegetter Ngaio Hansen from Eketahuna.

“I was very happy with taking the win for the circuit, Herbert said.

“It is a hotly contested circuit for wool handlers which consists of seven full wool shows and seven second shears shows.

“Even though I am now not eligible for New Zealand honours, I have previously contested seven trans-Tasman tests.

“I am happy to see new talent come through, which is now happening since I have switched to representing Cook Islands where I was the only Southern Hemisphere woolhandler to reach the top six at the world champs.”

Several of the red ribbons were taken out by couples: Phillips and Alexander are partners who both earned red ribbons while Kerr is the partner of open finalist James Ruki.

Phillips, a mother of two, competed at the Pre Shears wool handling competition on Wednesday, the day before Golden Shears started.  

Pre Shears is held at Massey University farm Riverside, just out of Masterton.

There, she placed second in the senior grade and first in the North Island Circuit final.  

There were 26 senior entries and she qualified fourth from the heats to progress to the semis.  

Phillips topped the 12-woolhandler semi and carried on that feat to take the win by 8.49 points.

Her partner, Alexander, is a full-time shearer for King Brown Shearing in Taumarunui with a recent win at Ōhura Shears. Forde won the final by 3.038 points.  

He also won the JH Bryant award for the best quality points in the senior shearing final and the RE O’Hara award for best quality in the senior event at Golden Shears.

He is otherwise known for winning senior grade speed shears.

Locals on show at Golden Shears

HUNDREDS of people came to Awaroa Sports Day last weekend for its 80th birthday.

Co-organiser Nick Riley said it was a good turnout with 550 people, including children, at the event.

They raised nearly double the usual amount from entry fees, which will go towards supporting the community.

The overcast weather was ideal for horses because it wasn’t too hot for the games, flat classes and jumping.

Peta Taukiri had a great day woodchopping, winning the Tony Kerr Memorial Shield, 10-inch standing, 11-inch standing and the 11-inch underhand, among other achievements.

He hadn’t expected to win.

“I just turned up for the fun of it, but sometimes you get lucky.”

Peta enjoys the sport because it is an individual challenge.

“I started when I was 8 or 9 years old, watching Dad, and slowly got into it.”

One of seven siblings, Peta is the only one who loves the sport. His father, Ian Taukiri, is also a champion woodchopper, set to compete in Adelaide later this year.

Sheryl Badger, husband Stephen Badger and daughter Jane were thrilled to return “home” for a day.

The family have spent about 30 years overseas, in Singapore and the UK. Growing up, Jane connected with her Ngāti Hikairo heritage through kapa haka, even on the other side of the world.

Many decades ago, Sheryl’s parents ran the community store and post office. Her father grazed the property where Awaroa Sports is held.

“I rode in the horse events with varying degrees of success, on my pony, Creamy, who had a mind of her own,” Sheryl said.

Around 1958, from ages 10 to 12, she entered the pony events. After that, she went to boarding school.

She said the sports day exceeded her expectations.

“We had a lovely time, and everyone was so warm.

“Sometimes, people go back and find that things have deteriorated in a sense, but they were better than ever,” she said.

Kaumātua including Stuart Ormsby and Aunty Margaret Kerr enjoyed the event having attended many times over their lifetimes; Stuart was a baby at the first sports day.

They shared memories of community life in the 1940s, a time when rangatahi rode their horses to school and a social highlight was a trip to the picture house at Ōpārau.

“I was born in Ōtorohanga in 1940, and my father Fred farmed just up the road here,” Stuart said.

The first Awaroa Sports was on the family farm, in an area called Ingarangi flat.

“It brings back a lot of memories,” he said.

“My first was of seeing the big marquee on our flat.

“Around 1946, there was a measles epidemic, and my sister and I shared the same room. Mum said we weren’t allowed to have any light in our bedroom. But we opened the blinds and looked at the cars going past, on their way to the paddock. We weren’t allowed out.”

Sheryl and Stuart both recalled that the big party had traditionally been at the clean-up on the Sunday, when they would bring crates of beer in on a truck.

She remembers listening to a piano accordion, and the kids being bedded down in the back of the cars.

Stuart, a runner and woodchopper back in the day, recalls the Green brothers, champion woodchoppers from the area.

They were so good that they were handicapped to the point that they stopped competing, he said.

Awaroa Sports celebrate 80th

More than a decade after first entering the open category at the Golden Shears, Te Kūiti shearer James Ruki has achieved his goal of making the final.

A proud Ruki placed fifth in the final, held at Masterton last weekend.

The Golden Shears is one of the two most prestigious contests in the country, beside Te Kūiti’s New Zealand Shearing Championships.

Now aged in his 40s, Ruki said he had been working towards this goal for 14 years, since first entering the open category.

Until the weekend, his 2024 season “wasn’t going too well” – in his opinion.

Ruki had made only two finals out of eight or nine contests entered.

“I thought the dream was over, but then it came true,” he said.

“It was a real buzz making the final, and a bit overwhelming after.”

The result was partly down to getting out of his head.

“I just relaxed and enjoyed the moment,” he said.

The sheep were “pretty average”, with dense fleece thanks to recent dry conditions around Masterton.

Comb selection was key to responding to that challenge.

Even so, the first stages of the contest weren’t smooth sailing.

“The top 30 was really tough. Even making the semis was an achievement.”

Ruki’s advantage in the contest was “being that bit older”, and being able to draw on experience, but he also appreciated the support of others.

He said he ended up “chatting with some of the other boys” about strategy.

Fellow shearer Johnny Kirkpatrick, who was not competing due to injury, was supporting everyone, was part of that process.

Ruki was raised in Te Kūiti township in the Centennial Park area; the son of Jimmy and Takuna Ruki.

He grew up watching his dad, aunties and uncles work in the shearing sheds. Father Jimmy would take on shearing jobs on the weekends.

Ruki said he became interested in shearing for the challenge and the cameraderie in the shed.

At school, in about 1995, he did a course through the New Zealand Wool Board. After leaving high school, he did further training through the Maniapoto Training Agency, with some of the same instructors.

He started with Barlow Shearing, and now works for D & H Shearing.

In the aftermath of his success, Ruki’s friends and family were celebrating on social media.

“I’ve always rated James highly and told him many times, perhaps now he can realise how good he is. Too much Chap,” Nicky Benyon said.

Ruki hopes to keep shearing for as long as he’s enjoying it and expects to be on the job for at least another five years.

Asked if he had any advice for newer shearers, he said it was important to be a willing listener.

“Don’t be shy to ask for advice.

“People are willing to teach you, if you are willing to listen. Listening is the biggest thing,” Ruki said.

Of his four children, Ruki said his son and daughter might follow in his footsteps.

He is eager to thank the many friends and family members who were behind him every step of the way.

“They believed in me more than I believed in myself,” he said.

'Too much Chap' James Ruki makes Golden Shears final

Brayden Lindsay

Never say never – that’s the King Country attitude as they come to terms with a Ranfurly Shield Challenge on June 26 in Napier.

Winless in 19 previous challenges, King Country will be hoping to make it 20th time lucky against Hawke’s Bay.

A 19-16 loss for the King Country-led Colin Meads’ side back in 1969 to the black-and-white-hooped Bay side which featured Karl Tremain, is the closest the Rams have come to winning the shield.

In their most recent challenge against Waikato back in 2016, the Rams were beaten 55-0 in Matamata, with King Country’s line up featuring current coach Aarin Dunster and his assistant Gene Waller.

King Country Rugby Union general manager Kurt McQuilkin is pleased Hawke’s Bay has chosen the Rams for a crack at the shield.

“We are stoked. Shield challenges are pretty rare for unions like us. A lot of All Blacks don’t get to play in challenges, so for many of our squad it’ll be the biggest match they play.

“We’re delighted and really looking forward to it.”

Back in the early days, Hawkes Bay was a strong rival for King Country and McQuilkin said it would be great facing them again.

“We used to have great battles with them. They are a different animal now to what we are I guess but we will go over the hill and look forward to the challenge.

“We know it’ll be a huge ask but we have nothing to lose going in as underdogs.”

McQuilkin said the match would be a great opportunity for Dunster and Waller to test themselves as coaches.

“It’s going to be a great thing for their coaching CV to have coached King Country in a Ranfurly Shield game. It sparked a few of the boys around the province.

“We had a good turnout to the Rams first training session a couple of weeks ago, fitness testing and it’s given the players a bit of a bounce in their step.”

“We will have to go out there and play as a team to knock them over but if an individual sticks out in a game like this, anything could happen for them. First and foremost, they have to go out there and play together, not as individuals.”

With the match taking place at a yet-to-be determined venue in the Hawke’s Bay, McQuilkin is confident a good turnout of King Country fans will make the trek for the challenge.

“It’s a great day for our rugby and community.”

“That is the beauty of the shield; it has that fairytale element attached to it. We were involved in something similar when we made it to the first division.

“No one thought that would happen, so you just never know. Let’s hope it’s another of those days coming up in June.”

He is grateful to Hawke’s Bay for providing King County with the chance to win the Log of Wood.

“We are delighted to get the chance and they’ve played a big part in that.”

Hawke’s Bay chief executive Jay Campbell said the Magpies were looking forward to the defences against the Heartland unions, and underlined the special place the Ranfurly Shield had in New Zealand’s rugby community.

“Challenging for the shield is not something every player in New Zealand has the opportunity to do throughout their career.

“Both King Country and South Canterbury performed well in their respective competitions last season, and we expect very enthusiastic, tough games against both of these proud unions.”

Meanwhile, in the lead-up to the challenge, King Country will take on Heartland neighbours the Thames Valley Swampfoxes in a pre-season clash at FMG stadium in May.

It will feature solely local players, so no loan players or players of origin will be picked and McQuilkin said it would be the perfect chance for players to put their best foot forward and show their skills ahead of the shield challenge a month later.

“It’s something we’re excited about and are thankful to Thames Valley for agreeing to play.

“Playing at somewhere like FMG Stadium as a curtain raiser to the Chiefs and Hurricanes will be a special moment for many of our players.”

King Country Rams given Ranfurly challenge

A PIOPIO teen broke three “huge” long-standing records in the 15-year-old girls’ age group at the Piopio Swimming Club last Thursday.

Caitlyn Cody broke the 100 metre individual medley record held by Kim Alcock since 1989 and the 100m backstroke record held by Sasha Irwin since 2001.

She also demolished the 100m freestyle record held by Catherine Pickering since 1991.

The season started off like any other for Caitlyn; if anything, she felt unfit. But she had a chance to break some ground.

“Last year, I was close to some records, so this year I thought I’d go for them, “ she said.

She is grateful to her parents and her dedicated volunteer coach Lee Alcock for “pushing me in every stroke, and every day, rain or shine.”

Lee is thrilled with Caitlyn’s achievement.

“It is huge, it is absolutely huge,” she said.

“Those records had been there for a long time.

“And in my 17 years coaching, there were only one or two kids who even looked like they were going to beat them.”

She told Caitlyn about the records at the start of the season; after that, the two were intentional about working towards breaking them.

It was going to be a challenge, but Lee knew her student would “give it everything”.

After the records were broken, Lee contacted the previous record holders, including her cousin, Kim Alcock.

None knew their records had been still standing, and all wished Caitlyn the best of luck.

Caitlyn’s mum Kimberley Cody describes her daughter as “a natural swimmer”.

Where does she get her talent? Not from her family.

“The rest of us sink,” she said. “I don’t think some of us could swim a lap.”

Caitlyn’s swimming story began after she developed appendicitis and later suffered a serious peritonitis infection. She was in hospital for a month.

Although she had been a competitive dancer, she lost her place on the teams she had been in due to this illness. As part of that setback, she also lost the chance to compete overseas.  

The doctors suggested she try swimming, so she took herself to the Piopio pool and started swimming laps.

It turned out a local community member, pool trustee Sheryl Johnson, immediately recognised Caitlyn’s ability to work hard and get results.

Although Sheryl was just at the pool doing maintenance, she saw Caitlyn’s speed and skill, and called over swimming club supporter, Lee.

Impressed by her speed, Lee assessed her and suggested to her mother that she join the swimming club.

Fast forward to this week, and Kimberley couldn’t be prouder of her record-breaking daughter, particularly her humble attitude.

“I actually am proud of her because she didn’t skite about it, there was no jumping up and down, no rubbing it in.

“All she said was, ‘Mum, I just broke three records’ and I haven’t heard her mention it again.”

Caitlyn had been so low-key that Kimberley just thought, “whatever”.

It was only after speaking to Lee that it “really sank in”.

The youngster doesn’t just compete, she also gives back, spending many hours of her own time mentoring younger swimmers, and writing out certificates for them.

Caitlyn doesn’t see swimming as a future career.

“It’s more just my hobby, and I have no plans for it at this stage,” she said

Caitlyn breaks 35-year-old record

MOTORBIKE lovers converged on Āria’s St Helen’s Domain last weekend for their fix of two-wheeled fun.

At least – mostly two-wheeled fun for the 800 plus riders, over half of whom camped. While no one rode anything that neighed, the “motorbikes” included side by sides and a home-made two-cylinder device bought for a small boy for all of $200. And he rode it like a champion.  

Co-organiser Dani Darke said “It a great weekend for us as a community to come together and do something really special. People rave about our ride, reportedly, it’s one of the best in the country.”

Riders enjoyed 140 kilometres of tracks, made up of three aptly named loops: the Mokauiti Monster, Totoro Torture, and Pareheka Paradise. There was also a moto X track and a mini track for the younger riders.  

The community turned out to help, with teachers, parents and other whānau womaning the BBQ, buttering bread, managing the logistics, marshalling tracks, washing dishes, collecting and cleaning port-a-loos and rescuing riders in trouble.  

And there was some of that – trail riders know the adrenaline-fuelled sport can be dangerous.  

A serious accident occurred when a rider missed a bridge on the track and hit the far bank of the Mokauiti Stream. This led to an ambulance ride for that person, with another transported by helicopter after a second accident.

While Saturday’s warm weather led to smiles all round, rain overnight resulted in seriously slippery tracks early on Sunday. Riders were warned not to get ahead of their abilities – and to get themselves out if they got stuck.  

Among the riders, Jared Mackintosh and Ollie Thompson spent a happy weekend at the ride.

They’re locals – living 10n minutes from the Āria village down Ohura Rd. Jared works as a shearer for Mark Barrowcliffe.  

Ten-year-old Ollie did the Mōkauiti Monster and said he had planned to ride again before the family left.  

Dad Jared said he enjoyed the chance to get out there on a bike – it was as simple as that.  

“This is our second year this year. We haven’t been riding for that long, so we’re just getting into it. We did the one down at Awakino last weekend.”  

And would they be back again next year? “S*** yeah.’

Āria Trail Ride a success

TONIGHT is quarter-finals night for the Ōtorohanga Football Club’s summer soccer season.

Club secretary Cheyne Waldron congratulated TV Connect for winning the Lion Brown Trophy as round robin winners and OTC Blues, who jumped from 10th to 8th to make the top 8 quarter finals.

At this stage, the club has the same start times planned for tonight’s quarter finals and the semifinals on March 7.  

On finals night – March 8 – the first round will start at 5.45pm and the grand final will kick off at 7.15pm.

Prizegiving will follow at the Ōtorohanga Club from approximately 9pm.

Cheyne said the times were flexible.

“If it does get too dark, we may look at bringing forward the start times for the semi-final round as well,” he said.

Cheyne advises players to check their eligibility for the upcoming deciders.

A player must have played three round-robin matches to be eligible to play in the quarter final matches onwards, he said.

If a player had any doubts, they should discuss it with a committee member.  

“Dispensation may be given to teams outside the top 8, but you would need to talk to a committee member well in advance and gain the approval of the opposition captain before the match,” he said.

There will be prizes for the winners of the four divisions and a wooden spoon winner. The wooden spoon will be decided over two legs, on February 29 and March 7.

There are other prizes for best social team, personality of the year, player of the year, young player of the year, most improved player, manager of the year, referee of the year and most improved team.

Soccer quarterfinals tonight

Simon Herbst

Taumarunui rugby union coaches and players will be able to pick the brains of some of the best coaches in New Zealand when they converge on the Taumarunui domain next month.

Sir Wayne Smith, Neil Barnes, Issac Boss, Brad Cooper, and Jarred Hoeata will be the coaches in attendance on March 9, at 10 am.

Sir Wayne Smith is a former All Blacks, Chiefs, Crusaders, and Black Ferns Coach.

Neil Barnes coaches the Taranaki Bulls (2023 national rugby champions) and was also the 2023 national coach of the year.

Isaac Boss is a former Ireland international player as well as a former King Country Coach.

Brad Cooper is the Taranaki Bulls Backs Coach (2023 national rugby champions).

Jarred Hoeta is the Taranaki Bulls Forwards Coach (2023 national rugby champions).

The sessions will involve two teams of Taumarunui players being coached by the guest coaches and anyone attending will be able to watch them live in action, seeing how high-performance trainings are run.

Taumarunui Rugby head coach, Matt Lord, is thrilled about the opportunity for coach development.

“It’s just about getting more people interested in coaching in the Taumarunui area. It’s great that two Taumarunui teams will have those coaches coaching them for the day,” Lord said.

“We saw it as a good opportunity for the club on a Saturday morning for high school coaches or anyone who is interested in coaching,” he said.

There is always a need for people to put their hands up and volunteer.

“Taumarunui is like anywhere else. You have people out there doing the job, but if we could get more coaches and referees it would lighten the load for everyone,” Lord said.

Lord, having worked with all of the guest coaches, saw a need and moved to meet it.

“I was keen to do a coaching day as Dan Cowler had done one a few years ago. I made a couple of phone calls and they said, ‘yeah’,” he said.

Taumarunui Rugby Club president John Allen is proud of what Lord has achieved for the club.

“I think it’s a great initiative and opportunity for these coaches to learn from the best and pass it on,” Allen said.

The session is open to anyone who is interested, and all are welcome to turn up and watch.

Top rugby coaches converge on Taumarunui

WESTERN lovers are in for a treat this weekend, with the ever-popular Waikato Rodeo taking place on Saturday.

It has attracted strong entries from cowboys and cowgirls from all over New Zealand and is one of the biggest events in this country’s rodeo scene.

There were so many entrants that organisers reluctantly stopped accepting more, three weeks ago. This was due to the limitations on space and stock numbers, organiser Sandy Rawlings said.

There will be a professional announcer from overseas, Brent Cann.

His claim to fame is that he is the only Australian who has been in charge of the microphone at similar events in the United States and Canada.

Brent is based in Kingaroi, Queensland, an outback town at the heart of that country’s rodeo scene.

Spectators can enjoy a new event; the Ladies Breakaway Roping.

This is the first time the class has been held at the Waikato Rodeo alongside favourites such as the barrel racing.

Sandy said there had been a huge amount of interest in this competition. The idea was to be a fun and exciting, but gentler form of calf roping.

“As soon as there is any pressure at all on the rope, it breaks away from the rider’s saddle.

“When that happens, there’s a flag on the rope which the judge uses to calculate times.

“We are finding that it’s been super popular,” she said.

To keep the enthusiasm up as the shadows grow longer, there will be a rodeo clown in the afternoon, entertainer Chubb Dale.

The gates open at 8.30am, and there will be eftpos. Entry is $25.

Waikato Rodeo will be at Kihikihi Domain, corner of Grey and Dick streets, Kihikihi, Te Awamutu.

Waikato Rodeo in Kihikihi

THERE has been a touch revival in the King Country. For the first time in 27 years, the province is sending teams to the Masters nationals in Palmerston North next week.

The teams will be over 40s men, over 30s men, over 27 womens.

The open grade nationals will be played in Rotorua next month.

Over 40s player and manager at the  Te Kūiti Gallagher Centre, Hika Rata, ascribes the resurgence in interest to Eden Anderson.

“Her and her family recently moved back, and realised touch was missing and had been for some time,” he said. “She started a module last November and from that module we have a King Country team to go to the nationals.”

The Ōtorohanga module was granted the use of a field at the island reserve on Wednesday nights, and 12 teams played this summer. The season finishes next month. Touch is also being played in Taumarunui and Piopio.

That’s just the start, Hika said.

“There are opportunities coming up next year for more teams. We had to actually turn away six teams because we didn’t have the space for them.”

There were conversations ongoing with Te Kūiti High School about using high school fields, which already runs a junior competition, and with the Waitomo District Council about the use of Centennial Park where they could play eight games at once.

“Touch and soccer don’t do much damage to the grass, there’s no scrummaging and no sprigs,” Hika said.

Eden said touch was originally started in the King Country by her aunty, the late Paula Wanakore, whose tangi was held at the Kahotea Marae on February 2.

Paula was running the touch back in the 90s, and when she and Tama Wanakore later left for the Gold Coast, the game was left behind, she said.

“No one continued it on, so it’s been well over almost 30 years.

“We still have the original photo of one of the King Country mixed teams; it was 1996 when uncle Tama Wanakore  was  playing.”

The Gray family in Ōtorohanga offered to sponsor three sets of playing singlets for the children and Eden asked friends and family in Australia who own a sportwear company to help so they designed the uniforms.

In November last year, they took three teams – under 10s, 12s, and 14s – to the Waikato contingent day.

“All the Waikato kids got to play touch against each other,” she said. “They got to represent the King Country and play against Waikato. Their first massive tournament ever.”

Another part of Paula’s legacy was the ease with which the new province glided through the Touch NZ process to play as a province.

“In order to do that, we had to get approval from Touch New Zealand. I submitted it to the board, and they came back with an approval. That doesn’t always happen for provinces with regard to touch.”

She said normally they would first have been permitted to play in other provinces as an invitation side, or with dispensation for a couple of years.

“They gave us all rights to run as our own province.  We can play in the finals and not as an invitational side, we don’t have to wait for two years before we can play in finals.

“There are no barriers. We just go as a province and represent our province, and we can win a title, pretty much.”

The King Country was originally established as a province by her aunty.

“We just needed to form a committee, two or three people; because they had seen that there was so much interest already.”

With her partner, Murray, involved she said Touch NZ knew they would keep the provincial touch running to build the association.

There are five senior teams heading for nationals and three kids’ teams.

“We have done quite a lot in the past couple of months,” Eden said. “I think it’s more just because we know that touch is huge in the King Country.

“I grew up in Ōtorohanga literally straight across the road from Island Reserve when I was little, and I knew how massive it was. Everyone used to play touch in Ōtorohanga. The whole town would be involved.”

After putting out a notice for a skills day, they are still getting people ringing.

“They are coming from everywhere. We had people come from Taranaki, they travel from near and far just to represent their province.

“These are teams of 14 kids, and they just come out of nowhere. They just all wanted to play touch. So, we put them all into teams, and they are away. These under 10s, they’re playing against adults at the moment, and they are amazing.”

Sudden King Country touch revival

Te Kūiti Bowling Club presented their greens in great order for their inaugural tournament for 2024. Twelve outside teams participated from six clubs, coming from as far afield as Hamilton.

The day produced some excellent bowls with eight of the 20 teams present achieving three wins or better.

There was only one four-winner, followed by four teams with three wins and a draw each.

These were separated by ends won, which left two Kihikihi teams outside of the money.

First place, the only four winner, went to a Pirongia team skipped by Henry Te Moni and ably supported by Denise and Dean Te Mono.

Second place was also secured by a Pirongia team, skipped by Mark Arrandale with Dean and Sharon Chandler in support. These two are relative newcomers to bowls and have a great future in front of them.

Third place went to the Piopio trio of Wendy Weinberg (skip), Michelle Tapara and Lyn Te Kanawa.

Te Kūiti’s next tournament is Sunday, March 10, not to be missed.

A great day of bowls

SHOWJUMPING champions of the North Island – the team from Ōtorohanga Pony Club enjoyed a special and historic victory last weekend.

The 38th North Island Pony Club Show Jumping Champs 2024 took place at Kihikihi domain.

Annabella Were, Sam Were, Rosie Anderson, Sarah Bevege, Eva Davis and draft rider (joining from Te Awamutu club to make up the numbers) Twyla Ashwell, were responsible for bringing home the cup.

They did so with a collective 119 points, ahead of second place winners Te Awamutu Pony Club on 98 points.

Team manager Louise Davis said the club had hoped to win the championships for many years.

“There is a long history of Ōtorohanga supporting the event. Every year for the past 38 years, we would have had someone competing.

“And many of our parents came through the club themselves. Although in our day, we were lucky to get a ribbon.”

Louise describes the victory as “pretty big, and pretty special.”

Head coach Jo Fox said it reflected a great deal of effort from all involved.

“A lot of work goes into looking after horses, and especially over the Christmas period with holidays and keeping them jumping fit,” she said.

Club friends and family were out in force celebrating the win on social media including Barbara Houghton, who was a junior rider when the event launched in 1986.

“A huge congratulations. I rode at the very first show jumping champs in Cambridge for Oto. Well done team,” she said.

Rangitoto principal Pip Were, the mother of team members Sam and Annabella, was thrilled.

“We had an incredible team atmosphere, and the kids all rode extremely well,” she said.

Draft rider Twyla Ashwell’s mother, Tina Fagan, felt the same way.

“It’s absolutely awesome for the local area. To come away with a win as a team is something that all the kids aspire to.”

The win is extra special given this was the last year 24-year-old Sarah could compete before aging out of eligibility for the competition.

The club is also celebrating its 70th anniversary this year.

Ōtorohanga Pony Club wins North Island champs after 38 years

Since the firearms registry launched seven months ago in June last year, more than 100,000 weapons have been registered.

The number represents nearly 10% of the guns and rifles from the 235,000 or so licensed firearm owners in New Zealand, Te Tari Pūreke – Firearms Safety Authority executive director, Angela Brazier said.

“The Firearms Registry is all about preventing firearms getting into the wrong hands,” she said.

“Digitising the licensing system enhances our ability to detect unlawful and criminal activity.

“Along with preventing the sale and purchase of stolen firearms, the registry provides a better way for police to trace where firearms used by criminals have come from.”

Disrupting the flow of firearms to criminals worked in tandem with other policing initiatives that targeted organised criminal groups and gangs, Angela said. The separate but complementary strategies were together making it harder for criminals to possess and use firearms.

“When fully rolled out, the registry will provide a picture of all lawfully held firearms and arms items in New Zealand. This will give greater transparency when firearms are changing hands and ultimately make the availability of firearms to the black market more difficult,” she said.

So far, Canterbury, the area with the most licence holders, is the area with the highest number of firearms registered.

Districts and firearms registered:

n Canterbury – 14,289

n Southern – 12,119

n Bay of Plenty – 10,098

n Waitemata – 8582

n Waikato – 8189

n Tasman – 7076

n Wellington – 7069

n Counties Manukau – 5839

n Eastern – 5313

n Auckland City – 4420

n Northland – 4235

n Other locations – 512

To register firearms online go to www.firearmssafetyauthority.govt.nz or call on 0800 844 431 (Monday to Friday 8.30am-5pm, except public holidays).

Uptake of firearms registry

AN  ŌTOROHANGA boy, who became a French rugby star has retired from the game and decided to bring his family back to live in New Zealand later this year.

Toby Arnold, who rose to be the all-time top try scorer of the professional era for Lyon Olympique Universitaire Rugby (LOU), has retired following a career lasting more than 16 years.

Te Kūiti-born Toby, 36, represented the Bay of Plenty Steamers and New Zealand Sevens, before going on to play 232 times for LOU.

The King Country News caught up with the outside back this week to talk about rugby, life in France and how he and his family are feeling about making a new life in Papamoa.

Here is Toby’s story, told in his own words:

“My wife, Shelley, and I have three children. One girl, Charli, 14, who was four years old when we moved here to Lyon and two boys, Beau, 8, and Jax, 7,

Both boys were born here in Lyon. The kids, who have all become bilingual, are obviously a bit nervous, but excited at the same time to be moving back to New Zealand, the main reason being to be closer to family.

Charli definitely has moments where she would prefer to stay in France as she has been French-schooled since four years old and has a great band of friends.

She, however, understands the reasoning and is excited to be able to “pop” around to her grandparents, aunties, uncles and cousins’ houses to spend some quality time.

During our time here, myself and the kids obtained French citizenship so they are always going to have the option of returning.

Charli has already mentioned a desire to possibly go to university back here in France.

As of now, we will be relocating back to Papamoa, where both my wife’s family and mine reside.

But as for work, I have not “nailed down” exactly what I am going to get into.

I have a diploma in sport and would like to continue to be involved in sport and enjoy working with the youth, but who knows what the future holds.

Also, I haven’t ruled out entirely continuing to play a little more rugby upon my return.

My wife is a beautician and is excited to get some experience in a salon when we return.

My story is I grew up in Ōtorohanga and attended Ōtorohanga College right through until I was 18 years old before moving to Tauranga for a Bay of Plenty Rugby Academy contract.

I have great memories of Ōtorohanga, I was given great sporting opportunities through the local rugby, soccer and cricket clubs. I loved the tight-knit community feel and continue to have great links back to the town through friends.

I lived in Tauranga from 2006-2013 representing Bay of Plenty Steamers and NZ Sevens, winning a Commonwealth gold in Delhi in 2010 before needing two operations due to a torn ACL in my left knee in 2011.

This injury prevented me from playing rugby for 20 months, but during this period I met the newly-appointed rugby coach of LOU Rugby here in France.

Through a few conversations, I eventually received a two-year contract from July 2013, so made the very difficult decision to leave New Zealand and set out on a new adventure of living in France.

Initially, I was thinking I would eventually return to compete to make the New Zealand Sevens team again. But here I am, still here, more than 10 years later. I recently finished my journey as a player with LOU Rugby, but am still living here in Lyon.

Obviously, as a young Kiwi kid I always dreamed of becoming an All Black and was obsessed with the game growing up.

I didn’t quite make that dream come true, but am truly grateful for the whole experience, especially my time here in Lyon, which will continue to feel like home to me and my family for a long time to come.

I’ve had the chance to play alongside so many greats, including Sebastian Chabal, and made many life-long friendships with fellow players, staff and just people I have come across in the rugby community over here.

I’m very proud to be the first and only current foreigner to be in the ‘Loup d’or’ Club, for players playing over 200 games for the club and currently hold the record for most tries scored for the club (75).

I played my last match for the club in November and was truly taken aback by all the effort the club and everyone went to make sure it was an unforgettable experience for me.

Unfortunately, we lost the match, but it was still a day to remember. Obviously, an emotional day/week with a lot of nostalgia as so many great things have happened here over the past 10 years.

As for any advice for Kiwis travelling through France or even getting the chance to live here for a while, a simple “bonjour” will go a long way.

Don’t expect to master the language quickly, as it is very complicated. It took me three years to be comfortable and I am still learning new words/phrases daily.

I also can’t shake my Kiwi accent when speaking and I know I never will.

Also, learn to embrace the slower pace, as frustrating as it can be when trying to get things done. Embrace that glass of vin rouge with your daily two-hour lunch break.

As for other young kids with dreams today, belief and determination will get you there, but be prepared for “speed bumps” along the way.

There will always be tests and people who don’t have the same belief as you do.
I remember thinking my rugby dreams were over at 12 years old when I failed to gain selection for the local Roller Mills team, a real dagger (in the heart), but I think moments like this just sparked my determination even further.

French rugby star returns

KIHIKIHI’s three teams made a clean sweep of the first Ōtorohanga Bowling Club first tournament for 2024, taking out first, second and third places.

There was only one, four winner and two other teams scoring three wins and a draw. These two teams had to be separated on points scored.

First place went to Owen Johnson (skip) , Clark Ambury and Janice Johnson, four wins and 44 points scored.

In second place were Mike Proffit (skip), Peter Rawiri and Brian Quinlan scoring 39 points.

Jessica Looms (skip) Lyn Comins and Bev Haddrell took third place with 36 points scored.

The Edwards and Harvey sponsored event attracted a good cross section of North King Country bowling clubs and a visiting team from Waiuku, South Auckland.

Clean sweep for Kihikihi

HARD work and team spirit has paid off in gold for Ngaa Puukeikura o Maniapoto, the area’s youngest competing waka ama crew.
The kōtiro, all under 10 years old, combined with girls from Hamilton club Te Toki Voyaging Trust to form W12 midgets team Hine Pukeikura, now 2024 New Zealand champions for their age group.
They had trained together only three times beforehand.
Their stellar performance came on Monday at the 2024 National Sprint Championships on Lake Karāpiro.
They won their heat (1:35), the semi-final (1:46), and the finals, breaking their previous record with a blistering 1:42:94.
The local kōtiro are Maraea Wehi, Celeste Tai-Rakena-Manakau, Jahnika Tangihaere, Teiawhiro Heta-Tapara, Hera Huriwaka-Masters-Siaosi and Maia-Jay Maikuku-Hepi.
As a W12, they paddled with Aiao Manukonga, Amokura Morunga, Maia Davis, Operu Moeke, Waereti-Rose Watene and Ngamiri Tai-Rakena-Harrison. Whetu Lawson was their adult steerer.
Coach Jahdine Tapara could not have been more proud.
“It was an absolute team effort and they’ve worked so hard during their summer break,” she said.
“It also reflects a big commitment by whānau.”
Their training during the Christmas and New Year period was serious but not too onerous. After their previous win at the regional championships, they took just a week off to relax.
“We didn’t want to bombard them with training – we did just one a week over the holidays. We only picked it up recently. Last week we trained for two days, four hours each time.”
In some trainings on Waikato awa, the youngsters could swim afterwards.
But water quality issues meant this was impossible for others at Hamilton Lake: it would have put the girls’ health at risk.
Their preparation included a series of wānanga at Mōkau, with supporters camping at Tainui Wetere domain or hosted by whānau. The intention was to grow rangatahi leaders with a wholistic approach, Jahdine said.
The kaupapa covered hitori and the guardianship of Te Taiao (the environment). Many knowledgeable local kuia and kaumātua shared kōrero with the girls, building their awareness of the tikanga surrounding their sport.
“In the history lessons, we also talked about the maramataka ō Maniapoto: we teach about our moon phases and how they affect our energy levels, our wai movement and moreso, we bring awareness of how our Hina (moon) affects how and when we train, eat, sleep, and our recovery. We learn about how to be adaptable to our taiao and its conditions.
“Waka ama is not just about winning medals. Some may think it’s just a sport, but it’s about many things including acknowledging our environ-ment and being kaitiaki of our awa and our moana.”

The young paddlers also fished and gathered kai such as oysters.

The medal winning race was not the only event in which the midgets competed. As well as winning the W12 category, the local girls did well as a W6 crew in the 250m sprint.

They came sixth in New Zealand, against a competitive field of 45 entries.

In their heat on Sunday, they beat their previous best race time of 1:51 - achieved during the regional championships – to make 1:44.

They qualified for the semi-finals, but things did not go their way in that race.

“I took a risk and changed around the seating. We had practised with that seating previously, but on the day some of the paddlers were stronger than others and to an extent, adrenaline may have got the better of the girls. It did affect the outcome,” Jahdine said.

In the W6 championship finals, they returned to the original seating pattern.

Jahdine said the community supported the teina with generosity, helping with fundraising, diesel for transport, gazebos and a water safety boat.

One last secret to the successful campaign was Koro Waipā, a 25-year-old waka formerly put to rest behind Piopio College for over a decade. Because it was heavy, once restored, its weight further helped the kōtiro build their muscles in the training environment.

Unlike the older girls’ team, who won at the Gubbi Gubbi championships in Queensland, the teina do have their own waka. As well as Koro Waipā, there are two waka stored at their school, Te Wharekura o Maniapoto, which are taken from Te Kūiti to Awakino when that is the location for training. In the competition they had been given access to waka supplied by Te Toki Voyaging Trust.

“Te Toki is one of the biggest clubs in Aotearoa, with 54 registered teams competing at this year’s nationals.

“We had to work with every team’s bookings. Fortunately our times barely clashed, and we were able to get some solid training times. Te Toki management are always supportive and accommodating to us,” Jahdine said.

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King Country News and App is owned by the Beacon Media Group based in Whakatane. We are one of the few family-owned news media groups remaining in New Zealand, and are members of both the News Publishers Association, and the Community Newspapers Association.