When Matt Tauroa (Ngāti Korokī Kahukura, Ngāti Awa) enrolled in a Waka Ama course with Te Wānanga o Aotearoa back in 2016, he had no idea how the path of his life would change. His original goal was to earn a day skipper qualification to borrow his uncle’s boat, but he ended up discovering a passion for a sport he knew nothing about.
“I’d never even heard of Waka Ama; I thought it was only rowing at Karāpiro. But when I tried it, everything sort of clicked.”
With classes held at Karāpiro, and assessments completed at Apakura campus in Te Awamutu, Matt learnt water safety skills, how to paddle, and reconnected with the awa.
Although apprehensive about returning to learning, the positive environment and relatable kaiako meant he enjoyed the experience with Te Wānanga o Aotearoa.
“The kaiako were easy to get along with. They had a really great way of explaining things and helping us learn.”
Matt attended nationals that year and was blown away by the positive and inclusive atmosphere. It solidified for him that this was a sport he wanted to be involved in, and so he joined a club.
He paddles with a different club now, and, after introducing his teenage daughter to Waka Ama, he became her coach.
Using experience from his coach-building background, in 2019 Matt made a paddle for his daughter and soon requests started coming in from whānau and friends for their own. The following year he started Manaaki Made, a paddle and accessories shop, run from his home in Hamilton.
“It was supposed to give me a bit more time to do other things, like paddle and support my daughter, but now I’m almost too busy!”
Matt spent the week at Karāpiro this January at the Sprint Nationals, paddling himself, coaching his daughter, and running his shop. It was a full-on week, but one he loved being part of.
Since he’s been involved in Waka Ama, he’s seen the sport grow in popularity and participation as others give it a go like he did.
“It’s been a good journey for me and my family. I was told it is a change in lifestyle, and it is a good, positive lifestyle change.”
Te Wānanga o Aotearoa has been a long-time sponsor of Waka Ama Sprint Nationals.
