ARAI ROA
About
Kia ora & welcome to Ārai Roa Waka Ama!
Nestled on the shores of Te Hurihi Bay, Waiheke Island, beside our beautiful Piritahi Marae, we are more than a club – we are whānau. Our waka ama journey is about culture, community, and the joy of paddling together on the wai.
Our logo,
he tohu.
Our logo is inspired by the many whai of our motu, recognised by our founder as a kaitiaki it is a tohu of resilience, grace, and guardianship. It represents our commitment to nurture and uphold the many tikanga that surround the sport of waka ama on our motu. Our logo finds its roots in tikanga Māori, symbolising mana motuhake and kotahitanga.
The whai with its wide wings act as an “Ārai Roa” (long shelter) that mirrors one of the known names of Waiheke - “Te Motu-arai-roa", the long sheltering island.
The pūhoro and mangopare patterns signify the swift movement, speed, agility, and determination of waka through the wai.
The hoe honors the collective effort-raukura (members) paddling together with pride and humility. More than a logo, it is a symbol of revival, identity, and movement, an inspiration for the new generation to take to the wai!
The Koru represent our values.
Kaitiakitanga, Maramatanga, Rangatiratanga,
Wairuatanga, Whanaungatanga, Manaakitanga, Ako, Kotahitanga.
Ārai Roa
Waka Ama Club established...
Ārai Roa Waka Ama Club was established in August 2025 in response to a growing need for a positive, culturally grounded community on Waiheke Island. After a group of us recognized the opportunity to create a new club that would prioritize our values and heritage, we came together to make it a reality. We’re grateful for the support of our Piritahi Marae and the chance to work together to nurture our culture and traditions. Our club is built on the principles of Whanaungatanga, manaakitanga, and kaitiakitanga, and we’re excited to share our passion for waka ama with our Rangatahi, Kaumatua, Kuia and community.
Our waka ama club is a community-driven organization that offers regular training sessions, cultural workshops and social events. We’re open to members of all ages and skill levels, and we’re committed to providing a supportive environment for our rangatahi and seniors to grow and thrive. We are proud to partner with Piritahi Marae and other local organizations to promote our heritage, our culture, our traditions. Our goals include growing our membership, hosting cultural events, and developing programs to support our youth and community’s well-being.
He kupenga aroha, he kupenga tangata, pull together!
Ārai Roa Waka Ama Club utilizes a fleet of W6, W3, W1 outriggers, courtesy of Piritahi Marae until we build our club fleet. Meantime we endeavour to meticulously maintain existing equipment by our members. We encourage members to purchase their own personal life jackets and paddles, promoting a sense of ownership and responsibility. Currently, we’re fundraising to purchase additional paddles for our members, aiming to support their growth and participation in the sport”
Our club prioritizes safety and sustainability in equipment management. We conduct regular inspections and maintenance, enforce safety protocols and provide training for members. We’re committed to minimizing our environmental impact through eco-friendly practices and responsible equipment handling. “By working together, we ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all members.”
Ngā Uara Matua
We invite you to join us on this journey, to paddle alongside us, and to share in the spirit of:
Kaitiakitanga: Strive to restore, protect & improve our taiao.
Maramatanga: Being transparent & accountable with our whānau, hapū, and community. To instill integrity, confidence, and Trust.
Rangatiratanga: Direction & leadership in all parts of our uniqueness will be evident by how we conduct ourselves.
Wairuatanga: We will observe the tikanga and Kawa of our tupuna to ensure the spiritual and cultural context is developed as it was laid down by them.
Whanaungatanga: Relationships are fundamental to our kaupapa & we will ensure that we put energy in developing that with supportive communication with our whanau, Hapu & community.
Manaakitanga: Respect, kindness and generosity.
Ako: Learning, sharing knowledge and growth.
Kotahitanga: Unity, cooperation and teamwork.