Last week, Nayland College’s Year 10 Intensives took place, one of which was the highly anticipated waka ama journey.

On the morning of November 27th, at the front of Nayland College, a group of eighteen students and two teachers eagerly (although somewhat nervously) awaited the journey ahead.

The first stop was the Whenua Iti Outdoors facility in Lower Moutere, where we would be based on the first day and whose instructors would be overseeing our journey and guiding us through the process. On arrival, we were greeted with the friendly faces of Matua Mike, Matua Callum, Kiwa and Andrew, along with Kea and Panaia, who were training to become proper instructors.

The day began with a variety of fun games, then a trip out to Kaiteriteri for a training-run on the waka with Todd from Waka Abel Tasman, in preparation for the adventure the following day. Later in the afternoon, we also practiced using the rākau (traditional Māori weapons) alongside some Murchison School students.

On Wednesday morning, we set off in the vans, packs in tow, to Kaiteriteri Beach. At about 9:30AM, we embarked on our journey towards our destination: Anchorage, approximately fifteen kilometres away. It was amazing to be out on the water, travelling past various bays and islands. Matua Callum and Todd frequently stopped us for rest (and often a tasty snack) and to explain the Māori names of the places we passed and the history behind them.

After a morning of hard mahi it was time to cool off with a swim. Some ventured out to a pontoon (although it was somewhat smelly!) and lounged in the sun, while others jumped off the small diving platform. Those back on land relaxed on the beach and clambered around on the rocks.

Later in the afternoon, Matua Mike set us a challenge: In pairs, we were to speak to tourists on the beach. It was a cool opportunity to hear what people found interesting and unexpected about New Zealand, as well as to learn about the people themselves and the country they called home. Generally, tourists were amazed by the landscape and the friendliness of the people and what they found unexpected varied from our pest control programs to our efforts in maintaining a sustainable environment.

The next morning, rather than having breakfast in the campsite, we paddled around to a small bay not far from Anchorage to enjoy our kai. Some of us perched on the rocks while we ate; others sat on the sand, gazing at the view before us, the sound of the ocean lapping onto the small beach music to our ears.

The Waka Ama journey was brimming with opportunities. One of the many was the pōwhiri we performed for a group of approximately one-hundred Mapua School students and their caregivers, as well as the tourists present, as a way to welcome them into Anchorage. We were all in time and it was a proud moment for the group as it was something we had been building up to since the beginning of the trip. The pōwhiri involved a karanga, haka, mihi, wero and the use of rākau.

Once the pōwhiri was finished and lunch was eaten, it was time for swim number two. The day was hot; it would be the hottest day of trip. Most of us stayed in the water for up to an hour, and what would a swim at Anchorage be without a venture out to the pontoon? The rest of the afternoon consisted of spending time on the hot sand and chatting about everything under the sun.

We fitted in lots of other good stuff too. We walked the picturesque loop track to Te Pukatea Bay and went for a night walk to the glow-worm caves where we gazed awestruck at what looked like the night sky before us. We saw seals lazing and swimming and a blue penguin a mere few metres from our waka.

The waka ama journey was an incredible experience that will never be forgotten. One part especially is the multiple hongi we gave, not only to each other, but the instructors, teachers, tourists and students from other schools throughout the trip. The journey brought together people that otherwise wouldn’t have interacted and the entire group shares a strong bond now. It also allowed for personal growth and the building of confidence in a safe environment. It is an opportunity I’m sure we would all jump at to do again in a heartbeat. Kia ora!