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Posted on Friday October 23rd 2009 at 3:16 p.m.
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WHEN: Saturday and Sunday 24th - 25th October 2009
WHERE: Hosted by Waitara Bar Boardriders Club the event will go mobile along the Taranaki Coastline to capitalise on the best possible waves the region has to offer. The swell and conditions are looking favourable for the weekend too.
WHO: Approximately one hundred of the best Maori surfers from around the country contesting nine divisions catering for surfers from the age of ten through to fifty. The surfers will be out to make the most of the event by catching up with whanau and friends as much as contesting the nine titles that are up for grabs. Key names to look out for will be Morehu Roberts, Jessica Santorik, Tim O'Connor, Motu Mataa, and Kelly Clarkson. Juniors to watch out for include Haami Martin and Johnny Hicks.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW: Local surfer Jason Lellman is the defending champion at the event having taken out the open men's division on home turf last year.
Martin brothers Haami and Jesse are back to contest the event with younger brother Haami defending his Rip Curl Under 18 Boys title.
The Aotearoa Maori Titles doubles as a selection event for the New Zealand Maori Team to compete at the Oceania Cup. The winners of the Open Men's, Open Women and Junior Men's divisions receive automatic selection for the New Zealand Maori Team. The New Zealand team have won the Oceania Cup five times.
Fourteen year old Jayda Martin - Fitzharris is the defending champion in the Roxy Open Women's Division but will come up against some stiff competition this year with Raglan stalwarts Jessica Santorik and Kelly Clarkson. Santorik is a previous three time winner of the event (2005 - 2007).
History: Initiated by the Waitara Bar Boardriders Club in 1992 the first event took place in 1993. The Maori Titles was initiated to acknowledge the sporting excellence and commitment that Maori Surfers have achieved at club, national and international level. The Maori Titles embraces kaitiakitanga and is focused toward strengthening whanaungatanga, manaakitanga and kotahitanga. The Maori Titles is a spiritual awareness for some, a learning curve for others but most importantly it's a time when family and friends can come together through their tribal links to experience kotahitanga (being as one). The Auahi Kore Aotearoa Maori Surfing Titles are held annually and the event has become one of the premier events of the Surfing New Zealand events calendar. Labour Weekend is generally the time of the year that the titles are held.
PRVOUS WINNERS:
Open Men's
2004 Morehu Roberts (Rongowhakata)
2005 Leon Santorik (Ngati Tama/Toa)
2006 Daniel Kereopa (Tainui)
2007 Richard Christie (Kahungunu)
2008 Jason Lellman (Taranaki)
Under 18 Men's
2004 Morehu Roberts (Rongowhakata)
2005 Tim O'Connor (Waikato)
2006 Conan James (Te Atiawa)
2007 Bodhi Whitaker (Ngati Whakaue)
2008 Haami Martin (Raglan)
Under 16 Men's
2004 Richard Christie (Kahungunu)
2005 Bodhi Whitaker (Ngati Whakaue)
2006 Johnny Hicks (Ngati Porou)
2007 Johnny Hicks (Ngati Porou)
2008 Johnny Hicks (Ngati Porou)
Open Women's
2004 Airini Mason (Rongomaiwahine)
2005 Jessica Santorik (Ngati Tama/Toa)
2006 Jessica Santorik (Ngati Tama/Toa)
2007 Jessica Santorik (Ngati Tama/Toa)
2008 Jayda Martin - Fitzharris (Gisborne)
Longboard
2004 Daniel Procter (Ngati Uepohatu)
2005 Daniel Kereopa (Tainui)
2006 Jamie Andrews (Ngati Ruanui)
2007 Daniel Kereopa (Tainui)
2008 Jason Matthews (Taranaki)
Over 30 Men's
2004 Shaun Coffey (Nga Ruahine)
2005 James Fowell (Ngati Kanohi)
2006 Phillip Willoughby (Nga Puhi)
2007 Wayne Cooper (Nga Tai)
2008 James Fowell (Ngati Kanohi)
Over 35 Men's
2004 James Atutahi (Nga Puhi)
2005 Phillip Willoughby (Nga Puhi)
2006 Phillip Willoughby (Nga Puhi)
2007 Shaun Coffey (Ngaruahine)
2008 Jason Lellman (Taranaki)
Over 40 Men's
2004 Doug Te Ranga (Ngati Te Rangi)
2005 Te Kauhoe Wano (Te Atiawa)
2006 Jason Matthews (Te Atiawa)
2007 Kelvin Louie (Nagti Porou)
2008 Doug Te Ranga (Ngati Te Rangi)
FORMAT: Standard event format with four man heats and 50% progression in all nine divisions. The finals in all divisions will be staged on Sunday the 25th of October.
Divisions
Billabong Open Men's
Rip Curl Under 18 Men's
Rapu Under 16 Men's
Quiksilver Under 12 Men's
Roxy Open Women's
Longboard
Electric Over 30 Men's
Ocean and Earth Over 35 Men's
Seed Over 40 Men's
STATUS: The 2009 Auahi Kore Aotearoa Maori Surfing Titles is a sanctioned Surfing New Zealand event.
REGISTRATION: The Powhiri is being held at 6.30pm on Friday 23rd October at Owae Marae, 16 North Street, Waitara.
SPONSORS: Generous support from the following companies has made this event possible - Auahi Kore the principle supporter of Maori Surfing. Division sponsorship has been provided by Rapu, Roxy, Quiksilver, Billabong, Seed, Electric, Ocean and Earth, Rip Curl and Surfers Skin.
CONTACTS: For further information on the 2009 Auahi Kore Aotearoa Maori Titles please contact Surfing New Zealand's Ben Kennings on 021 2278732 or email benkennings@surfingnz.co.nz. Alternatively contact Surfing New Zealand Maori Coordinator Steve Ria on 021 2278731 or email steve.ria@surfingnz.co.nz.
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