One fine Saturday morning in March this year a group of CLeaR staff members and SEED grant recipients had a taste of paddling waka together.
This event tied into the 2018 theme for CLeaR Fellows and SEED grants this year: He Vaka Moana: Navigating Māori and Pacifika student success. It also drew on oceanic experiences of connecting through purposeful journeys on the moana.
The event was made possible by a generous invitation from 2018 SEED grant recipient Jacoba Matapo who presented the opportunity to get out on the moana and participate in waka ama (outrigger canoe paddling). Jacoba together with the Aratika Waka Ama Club hosted the gathering at the Birkenhead wharf.
As described by CLeaR academic Dr Hinekura Smith, the event “provided a wonderful opportunity to further develop whakawhanaungatanga (relationships) outside of the institution and engage in an activity that encourages everyone, both literally and metaphorically, to ‘paddle together’ towards a common goal.”
A PDF on the Culture of Waka Ama can be viewed here
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