Sun, Sand And Surf In A Maori Style On -East Coast

Sun, Sand And Surf In A Maori Style On The East Coast

Maori have long sustained an ancient love affair with the rugged coastlines of Aotearoa. The art of harnessing a surfboard to tame the tempestuous waves of Tangaroa is a relatively new affair. Now, viewers have the opportunity to tune in and see some of Maoridom’s best surfers as AUAHI KORE AOTEAROA MAORI SURFING TITLES screens on Maori Television on Saturday February 19 at 5.30 PM.

The Auahi Kore Aotearoa Maori Surfing Titles are regarded as one of Surfing New Zealand’s premiere events as elite level Maori sportspeople compete over eight divisions and disciplines.

Staged along the coastline of Gisborne, the Labour Weekend 2004 event has reached a critical mass since being first hosted by the Waitara Bar Boardriders in Taranaki in 1997.

The twelfth annual event features the crème de la crème of New Zealand’s Maori surfers. Competing over a range of divisions, Daniel Kereopa (Ngati Hine), Richard Christie (Ngati Kahungunu), Morehu Roberts (Rongowhakaata) and Wiremu Bowers-Rakatau (Tainui) ran as hot favourites, while Airini Mason (Rongomaiwahine) and Jessica Santorik (Ngati Raparapa) tore up the surf for their competitive clash.

Surfing New Zealand and Aotearoa Maori Surf Titles organiser Steve Ria says the overriding principles of the event embody the Maori concepts of whanaungatanga (kinship), manaakitanga (hospitality) and kotahitanga (unity).

“The cultural flavour, the relaxed atmosphere and the mana of the event attracts the top Maori surfers from the four corners of the motu, as well as participants who have a limited amount of knowledge about surfing or who have never competed in a surfing event. The titles also encourage participation in healthy lifestyles and development,” he says.

AUAHI KORE AOTEAROA MAORI SURFING TITLES is produced for Maori Television by XSTV and directed by Alan Thurston – director of Maori Television youth action programmes Aotearoa Skate and Hakina Ahurea. The programme explores the event through interviews with leading surfers, local organisers and iwi leaders and an overview of what the titles mean from a sporting, cultural and whanau perspective.

Presented by Hine Castle, with Miles Ratima as the principal reporter the programme aims to show why Maori surfers continue to dominate the New Zealand surfing calendar.

AUAHI KORE AOTEAROA MAORI SURFING TITLES will screen on Maori Television on Saturday February 19 at 5.30 PM.

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