February 08, 2019
Portage Crossing celebrates challenge shared
Waka and the power of working together will be celebrated tomorrow with the 27th Portage Crossing.
Almost 100 kaihoe will leave Ōkahu Bay and paddle up the Tāmaki River to Ōtāhuhu, where they will carry their waka over to Manukau Harbour and paddle on to Māngere Bridge.
It’s the same route Tainui warriors forged 800 years ago to cross the isthmus.
Organiser James Papali’i from Manukau Urban Māori Authority and Manukau Outrigger Club, says the waka revival has made a huge impact on many lives and communities.
"That's where a lot of learning happens for Pacific and Māori, out on the waves, on the ocean. How to be team players, you rely on each other for livelihood and even for life, and some of those characteristics are what attracts our youth to gangs. Well, it's all in waka and it's about us getting back to those positive things and those challenges for our youth," he says.
While the waka are making their way over the 18 kilometre course, there is a free concert and family day at Māngere Bridge Reserve, where the kaihoe are set to be welcomed at about 2.30pm.
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