Mareikura back where they belong

Mareikura stalwart and Waka Ama Hall of Fame inductee Raipoia Brightwell says being at the sprint nationals this week has been an emotional and hugely significant moment for her club.

Members of Mareikura Canoe Club, the oldest waka ama club in Aotearoa, were back on Lake Karāpiro near Cambridge this week after overcoming significant adversity during Cyclone Gabrielle last year.

The Brightwell’s home was badly flooded while the club lost its training space, most of its equipment was damaged and paddlers were not allowed to get back on their river for a significant period of time.

Brightwell and husband and Aotearoa waka ama pioneer Matahi cleaned the silt from their Gisborne house for more than a month.

They disposed of belongings and removed the black mould that set in after the floodwaters receded.

Matahi, a renowned artist, was lost for words when the Waimatā River overflowed into his property, damaging his sculptures and artworks.

“It’s huge being back here,” says Raipoia while resting on the bank of Lake Karāpiro after one of her  races.

“In many ways this event is a restart for our club. I think getting back (to the Waka Ama Sprint Nationals) would have to be one of the biggest achievements in the history of our club.

“We are proud of our recovery.”

The club was founded on the East Coast by Matahi in 1985 after he observed and was inspired by Va’a racing in Tahiti.

The Brightwells’ work laid the foundations for the sport to grow and develop in Aotearoa.

This week, there are 16 Mareikura crews at the annual event.

Around 380 races are being held over the seven days, making it the biggest event of its kind in the world.

Around 3200 competitors and more than 8000 spectators and whānau from around the motu are in attendance,

Over 70 of the 90 Waka Ama NZ-affiliated clubs are represented.

Raipoia says that competing and connecting through waka ama is “essential to our life”.

When Cyclone Gabrielle hit the East Coast last year, everything stopped for the club.

“Our people paddle all year around and all of a sudden there was nothing. It was devastating.”

“The impact has been significant and has caused long-term mental stress and anxiety.

“Being on the awa (river) is important to us,” says Raipoia. “It is something that we enjoy. It is good for us as a sport and for our wellbeing, but also as a family activity. It brings people together and when you don’t have that, it has a big impact.

“As Polynesians (Raipoia herself is Tahitian), doing waka ama is important for us as it connects us to our roots. This sport goes far beyond competing with each other. It is linked into our mental health and who we are.”

It is important to set an example for their club members and rangatahi (youth) in the region, she says.

“To bring our paddlers here after overcoming a lot of adversity is special. It shows our youth that you can still achieve in hard times and that if you never give up, good things are still possible.”

Waka Ama NZ chief executive Lara Collins says it has been a special week in Cambridge after  so many people had recovered to compete.

“A lot of our whānau from around the East Coast — Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay, Napier, Wairoa — were badly impacted last year by weather events.

“We are proud of them and what they have achieved to be here. To see the battles on the water and camaraderie off it has been awesome.

“Being able to come together and rebuild, after the Covid years and the weather events, we are happy to be back together, and we are looking forward to keeping on building.”

For the first time in 2024, ACC sponsored the nationals to help in their work of better serving whānau Māori and Māori communities.

ACC deputy chief executive Rēnata Blair (of Ngāti Whātua Ōrakei) says many clubs use the event as an important goal to aim for.

“After what they have experienced, to have the Mareikura Canoe Club back competing is truly inspiring. They are back where they belong,” he says.

“We are committed to supporting kaupapa like waka ama that promotes the health and wellbeing of whānau of all ages.

“It’s awesome being here. It is a special week to be part of and we’re proud to contribute to the manaakitanga (hospitality), whanaungatanga (relationships) and oranga (wellbeing), of this event.”

Brightwell, at 67, has no plans of hanging up her paddle just yet.

“There is no age in waka ama.

“I am currently competing in the open division in waka ama.

“Waka ama is for life, You just need to have the skill and fitness and you can keep going.

“After what we have been through I just love being back on the water.”