default-output-block.skip-main
National | Kura Tuarua - Secondary School

Te Kapunga waka ama team strong on and off water

Working together on and off the water is the objective for the leaders of Te Kapunga from James Cook High School.  They're currently preparing for the finals of the J16 mixed waka ama section for secondary schools.

Paddle as one, think as one, to achieve the desired outcome.

Alazae Maiava Tuiono, of Ngāpuhi, Tainui descent, says "The first thing we do is to work together as a family."

Kayden Takawe-Kingi from Ngāti Umutahi, says, "Not talking on the water or being concerned about what the other teams are doing."

Alazae and Kayden have been given the responsibility of leading their mixed J16 team for Te Kapunga from James Cook High School at this year's regional competition.

They were recognised as leaders of the team because of their waka ama experience.

They made it to the mixed section finals.  Although they didn't win, they did achieve the goal of building a tight knit family team through sport.

Here are the final results for the under 16 section:

  • De La Salle Blue won the boys' 250m
  • Manurewa 1 won the 500m
  • James Cook 1 took it out the girls' 250m
  • Auckland Girls Grammar won the 500m
  • Kaipara 1 took out the mixed 250m