April 11, 2023
Access woes block Manukau waka club from harbour
A founder of the Manukau Outrigger Canoeing Club is calling for a safe access ramp into the Mangere Inlet.
James Papali’i says the club has moved its waka ama to clubrooms at Panmure because of the danger of getting waka into what is one of the safest places in the harbour for young paddlers.
He had hoped the problem would be fixed with the rebuilding of the old bridge between Mangere and Onehunga, but it was ignored.
“It reminds me of when waka were being blown up at Mangere Bridge, Māori waka, when they were moving people from Mangere to Waikato if they didn’t swear allegiance to the queen. That hasn’t changed. We still can’t access that place and it’s like that mentality from the councils has continued,” Mr Papali’i says.
He’s keen to take up the issue with Transport Minister and local MP Michael Wood later this month.