NZCT Helps Tairāwhiti Voyaging Trust Reach More Communities!

New Zealand Community Trust (NZCT) has awarded a grant of $20,000 to Tairāwhiti Voyaging Trust (TVT) for the purchase of two waka taurua, a trailer, and cover. This new equipment will expand TVT’s reach, offering hands-on learning for tamariki and rangatahi while enhancing water safety and marine environment knowledge across Te Tairāwhiti.

Trust Manager Emma van Berkel explains, “Waka taurua are five-meter-long replicas of the 22m double-hulled waka hourua, designed to safely introduce children and adults to waka sailing. They can sail in various locations or set up on land for educational programmes in schools and communities.”

The addition of waka taurua to TVT’s fleet allows for greater access to waka sailing, engaging communities where they live, and helping foster future leaders.

“The smaller waka taurua are perfect for teaching tamariki and rangatahi the fundamentals of waka sailing, enabling them to fully engage in the activity and develop the necessary skills for the future. Tairāwhiti is home to many remote communities, and the waka taurua allow us to bring opportunities to those who might otherwise miss out,” van Berkel adds.

Previous Tairāwhiti waka programme participants express, “Experiencing setting up the waka and getting involved in paddling has been one of the best things I’ve ever done - the korero, feeling Tangaroa, Tamanui te rā, and all the atua.” Another participant adds, “I really enjoy learning about the connection to the taiao and understanding that our tipuna did exactly the same things many moons ago.”

NZCT’s GM of Grants, Marketing and Communications, Ben Hodges, says “TVT runs a wonderful culturally centred programme that gets young people learning about and enjoying the ocean. Our thanks go to our responsible gaming partners Bar 59 and Bollywood Stars who made this grant possible.