In the highly competitive world of waka ama there is one race that represents the pinnacle of the sport: the Hawaiki Nui – three days of paddling, 129km of open ocean racing between the ancestral islands of Tahiti.
Funded by Te Māngai Pāho, VA’A VOYAGERS – CONQUERING THE HAWAIKI NUI premieres Tuesday 13 February at 7.30 PM on Whakaata Māori and MĀORI+.
Series director, Marara Katipa says as well as a lot of waka paddling viewers will see that, regardless of age, you can still get out there and do cool stuff, even the hardest waka race in the world.
“The team's mantra throughout the campaign was "Our health is our wealth" and they really took it seriously.
“There's something really moving about seeing a bunch of stoic-looking Māori and Pasifika men openly sharing moments of vulnerability with each other,” says Marara.
Marara Katipa says the biggest challenge for the crew was capturing the paddling itself.
“Day 1 of the Hawaiki Nui was an eye-opener. The sea was massive, we were in the middle of the open ocean getting hammered left, right, and centre. I felt scared for the boys in the waka, because they were constantly being swamped by walls of water.
“Contrast that with the Tahitian teams who'd pass us by yahooing, surfing the huge waves, and having the best time, just completely and utterly comfortable in those conditions.
“A highlight for the all-Māori production crew was to be able to traverse the same seas and visit the same places that our ancestors did a thousand years before - especially Taputapuātea Marae on Ra'iatea.
“Seeing this race up close really makes you appreciate why the Hawaiki Nui is the ‘Everest’ of the waka ama world,” says Marara Katipa.
Coming up on VA’A VOYAGERS – CONQUERING THE HAWAIKI NUI:
EPISODE 1: TUESDAY 13 FEBRUARY 7.30 PM – The first training camp begins in Tauranga in preparation for the Hawaiki Nui, which is just months away. Challenges are aplenty as the team try to find their rhythm and connection to each other and the waka.
EPISODE 2: TUESDAY 20 FEBRUARY 7.30 PM – With the Hawaiki Nui fast approaching, the team are at their final camp in Te Tii, but injuries plague the team and they soon realise that getting to the start line is much more difficult than they could have imagined.
EPISODE 3: TUESDAY 27 FEBRUARY 7.30 PM – Team Pineula depart Aotearoa for Tahiti for their final preparations, but it’s not long before the heat and illness strike. There are growing concerns amongst the camp that some may not make it to the start line.
EPISODE 4: TUESDAY 5 MARCH 7.30 PM – In the season finale, Team Pineula embark on the 129km journey through the unforgiving waters of Tahiti. The team must dig deep and push through the merciless seas if they have any hope of finishing the race.
