April 28, 2016
Kaihoe excited at whitewater potential
It’s thumbs up from a leading waka expert for south Auckland’s new whitewater training facility.
The $30 million Vector Wero Whitewater Park next to the Manukau Events Centre was opened this week by the prime minister and a representative of the Maori king.
Hoturoa Kerr, the head of Te Wananga o Aotearoa’s marine unit, says as well as having an artificial river suitable for tamariki, it also has rapids and waterfalls that can test experienced kayakers without them having to leave the city.
He says there was a lot of interest from some of the kaihoe at the opening who saw it as a chance to extend their skills.
"Because it’s such a a high quality world class facility I'm hoping in the next couple of years it will start drawing interest from our people as well and who knows, 10 years maybe we will have some of our people being recognised as the best in that discipline of waka as well so it’s good all round." Mr Kerr says.
He’s impressed by Te Wero’s strong community focus and commitment to giving tamariki in south Auckland schools a chance to participate.
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