Toroa at Porirua Harbour 2003

That's me butt steering to prove a point to the attendees gathered on the shoreline. Matahi Brightwell in attendance far left. Photo by Ole Maiava.

This image was taken of Toroa by my "Brudda" Ole Maiava who organized for me to attend a Kaihoi Waka workshop at Te Wananga O Aotearoa.

Te Wananga O Aotearoa is the name of an educational Institute run by Maori for Maori. Kaihoi Waka was the name of a program designed to teach water and waka handling skills to enrolled students.

I have great and enduring memories of Porirua Harbour, Takapuwahia Marae and the amazing people who were attracted to Ole's magnetism, particularly the ground shaking, hair raising haka that Toroa and I received from the staff and students at the finish of the workshop/weekend.

There were a large number of stingrays under us in 2 - 3 meters of clear water at the time this picture was taken, some the size of a small car!

The wind gods were very gentle with us that day, most unusual for Wellington.



Love always

Harmen.