Part 2: A photographic essay about our journey 'connecting to place' in Aotea, Great Barrier Island.
What does it take to connect to a place, after you have spent a large chunk of your life connecting to another place? I imagine for some people it can be quite quick and for others quite slow depending on their willingness to move, the way they meet people, and how welcome they feel. Consider where you live right now. Would you move and what would it take? Would you feel good about leaving and uprooting your life?
I think getting to know the stories of the land helps, exploring the place to have an intimate knowledge of its natural surrounds helps. Today I spent most of my time on a ridge trying to sort out an internet issue. Ultimately the issue was easy to resolve with a positive result. However, I could sit and take in the place I lived. Slowly developing an appreciation of the place. On the way, I was privileged to talk to Brad and Bridget at Glenfern to discuss upcoming projects. We discussed the possibilities and what projects we could do. They are such passionate cool people, committed to protecting an amazing part of Aotea, Great Barrier. A very talented couple.
One reason we nearly did not move north was because of Waka ama! Unfortunatly, waka ama did not pay the bills, so we had to come to the idea of shifting. There is no doubt we are both passionate about our waka ama. Interestingly for us, it is the cultural and human connections waka ama have brought to enrich our lives, through the people we have met. Of course, we love the physicality and competitiveness it brings, however probably more so we love the connections and people.
Waka ama, or outrigger canoes, are part of the culture of Pacific people. After Aotearoa New Zealand was settled by the first Polynesian voyagers, waka design and use went through a number of evolutionary stages. The different trees available here and their huge size meant that waka in this country eventually became single-hulled and did not need an outrigger float, or ama, to keep their hulls upright.
Gradually, over hundreds of years, waka ama went into decline in Aotearoa. But during the 20th century, Māori travelling to Pacific islands such as Hawai’i and Tahiti observed the continuing tradition of waka ama racing and in the mid-1980s waka ama began to be revived here.
Hosting the world championships in Aotearoa in 1990 rekindled the flame, and the sport has grown to the extent that many people from different cultures are now sharing in this special part of the history and traditions of their ancestors.
Initially called Tātou Hoe o Aotearoa, the waka ama association comprised just two founding member clubs, Ngā Hoe Horo in the north and Mareikura on the East Coast. From these small beginnings, the national association, since renamed Ngā Kaihoe o Aotearoa / Waka Ama New Zealand, has expanded to include six regional associations, with a growing list of clubs in each region.
The week-long National Waka Ama Championships, with upwards of 3500 competitors each year, illustrates how the sport has grown. And we hope to still attend this event next year. Just not sure how we will make it work with commitments here.
Either way, Waka ama grounds me and I am keen to connect with Waka ama here in Karaka bay with others and host a community event to bring people together. Waka ama, learning about culture, people, its history, experiencing the hoe and sharing kai I think will be a great part of our journey to connect with place.
Connecting with others! I had the privilege of paddling around Okokewa one evening with Rich Purvis. What a stunning evening to paddle. He was in my Scorpio sea kayak and I was in my Waka. That is what it takes to connect to place. Awesome trip, great energy, great company! Rich is such a good salt!
I have many outdoor sports I am passionate about. Waka ama is one of them. When I took this job it was one of my saving graces to learn there was two Waka. However hugely disappointing to learn there was only one Ama. I am super keen to get another Ama and Kiato to complete two waka 6 and have community tuition and races. Today we were very thankful that Tom Denely had built a trailer for the waka to come from BBQ bay where they were put in front of our bay - Karaka Bay. Now they are more accessible, and the hope is more students will experience what Waka and a good facilitator can give.
First, we walked over a hill carrying the Ama, two Kiato and straps. Once we assembled one Waka 6 we paddled that round to then repeat the effort to strap up the second waka. The weather was perfect with rain, wind and mist. Awesome fun to be connected to the environment and immersed. In the second paddle (Hoe) we did some drills along the way. I reckon with some training this staff crew could be awesome in a race.
Connection to place starts to become stronger with doing something that helps you care about the place and community you live in. Am I making that connection? It is a very slow process and the answer to that is not yet. As much as the environment is important it is the people you do it with. And here it is a slow process. I am admittedly not good at creating after work social connections unless I am invited. And I am not a night owl either. However, I am so lucky to work with some people that are very welcoming and also enjoy their space in this beautiful place. They are truly outstanding salts of the earth.
I thought everyone had gone out this evening when a colleague popped out of nowhere on a stand-up paddleboard while another was out fishing. It was wonderful to chat and see everyone out doing their thing. This all helps with connection to place by enjoying social capital with others. I have to admit moana / sea holds a special place for me. I also hope to connect more by seeing and learning more of marine life. I think that will help my connection with place. Although I do miss the mountains and rivers here.
Also having someone in my life helps me connect to place. Jo has been away this week. I am so looking forward to her return on Thursday. She is my compass, my north, my south, my east, my west.
Andy