Freezing buns back home - YAAHOOO go you MEAN MEDALS MEAN

And to our ones who are juuust missing out, STAND PROUD too, coz you are ooh so close.

I'm looking forward to race 285.
GO DO DA DAMAGE KOTIRO ATAAHUA!!!

10-Aug-2008

Micha MH - GO Mum GO

gratulations!!!

10-Aug-2008

CC's Mum - Wgtn - Way to battle it out Kayla and Talitha and way to push them along Makere. Too much you girls. And Congratulations Kiwi, great coaching.

Well done to you too Tapita and Raina way to represent.

10-Aug-2008

kw - Okay you fullas over there with the videos and cameras start loading some of those clips to You Tube pleeeezzz. Alex thank you so much for the prompt result updates, you're going to have to work on bringing some live coverage on the web next I think mate.

10-Aug-2008

rollingstones - Cha George you're the man. Way to go.

Wiki

10-Aug-2008

kw - TE WHAEORANGA SMALLMAN what a champion!
Congratulations on winning GOLD.
WORLD CLASS.

10-Aug-2008

CC's Mum - Wgtn - Too much Hemi taking on all those Tahitians. Your still da man! Way to represent Aotearoa.

10-Aug-2008

rollingstones - AEWSOME....TPOTI TAHI
BRING HOME THE GOLD

BIG UPS TO YOU GIRLS MEAN MAORI MEAN

WE ARE ELATED..YOU'RE JUST TOO MUCH. CAN'T WAIT TO GIVE YOU ALL A BIG HUG.

WE ARE PROUD OF YOU. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK

WR & MERE

10-Aug-2008

Tyrin, Mercia & Mum.. - TOO Much Whae...Your Da Mean Maori Mean Girl
TOO Much Dad.... Your Da Mean Maori Mean Dad

Winning GOLD.

10-Aug-2008

Tyrin, Mercia & Mum.. - TOO Much Whae...Your Da Mean Maori Mean Girl
TOO Much Dad.... Your Da Mean Maori Mean Dad

Winning GOLD.

10-Aug-2008

Kwini & Mrs T. - Congratulations & Awesome- To all our Aotearoa Paddlers who have done so tremendously
" Mean Maori Mean"

Most of all Big Ups to our No.One Man Alex Ryder
where would we be if it wasnt for him making sure the whanau back home is informed thank you so much Alex.

10-Aug-2008

KIm Marsh, Te Toki Voyaging Trust - Churrr you J16 medallers.......you rock!!AWESOME EFFORTS FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK

10-Aug-2008

dt/ows - Awesome Leanne!! A Gold & Silver medal winning mum and world champion. Congratulations to you and your whanau for all the hard work and dedication.

10-Aug-2008

CC x - Too much Leanne! You are THE machine - back to back medals... YAHOO!! What an inspiration you are...

Also gotta shout out to your whanau and support -Steve, Troy, Layden and Steven who have been here at home biting their fingernails and receiving and sending texts at 4am this morning!
Kick back, relax and enjoy the sun and warmth.

Champagne is on ice :o)
Safe journey doll

10-Aug-2008

Anon - Awesome effort George. Medal well deserved

Carol n Danielle Destounis

10-Aug-2008

a PROUD mum and partner - Ki nga kaihoe o te 'Puku' tenei te mihi atu kia koutou. whakahokia mai te MANA, IHI, TE WEHI, ki Aotearoa, ka mau te wehi ki nga Mahanga, Rachel, Renee, Nicole, Talitha, Faith, Bruce me o koutou hoa hoe katoa, ka nui te mihi kia TPOTI1J19

10-Aug-2008

WAIUKU ROXX....... - TOO Much...

KIWI Magic....

IN Our Books.....Ur all WINNERS!!!!

GO HARD KIWI'S.....

10-Aug-2008

WAIUKU ROXX....... - BIG CONGRAT'S TO J16 BOYZ....W12....

U ROCK!!!!!

TE WEHI & SHAWN......BIG UPZZZZ.....

10-Aug-2008

shonz - Too much Uncle George THE MAN holding ur Title and Shot Whai u World Champ u Too much alryt && to my kuzziez Dale,Moana,Laytz MEAN..

10-Aug-2008

kw -Wgtn - Way to go Mana Kaihoe - Snr Master Women, another Gold for da kiwis. Nice one!

10-Aug-2008

Anon - Yiyah mah NGATI WAIRERE CUZZIEZ won us a GOLD...
Too much Ihi, Sara-Lee and Katherine....

RIpped up aite...

Ngaa Mihi....Jess xox

10-Aug-2008

Mangu & Kemp Whanau - Shotz To Our Uncle George & Cuzzies
Dale, Moana & Layton

Go Hearty & Party Laterz

All Da Whanau from Gizzy...

10-Aug-2008

RDCLC - TE WHAEORANGA SMALLMAN - Congratulations ! Gold medal, stunning ! (Well done to Z & A too)

10-Aug-2008

Your whanau from Hokianga - Aotearoa Te Houtaewa J 16 - Silver and Gold, girls, TU MEKE !!!!!

10-Aug-2008

Arohanui Leona George and Tiani - Tremendous effort Gizzy wakas. Kiwi style..A shoutout to Te Whaioranga you deserve this for all your hard wok and dedication. To all the other medalists congratulations from NZ. A BIG congratulations to Kayla Peters, everyone here were rooting for you and you come through. Hi Lindy.

10-Aug-2008

Anon - Too much!!! Da cuzzy is bringing back a gold and a silver...See u wen u get back my cuz. Congratz to all the NZ teams.

10-Aug-2008

rollingstones - yiyah! Way to go Rakeiao & Pikikotuku for the V6 500 race..Tumeke!

Party up cos the drinks are on Howie!!!

10-Aug-2008

.. - 2 much Hemi Wahapango only New Zealand paddler in the finals your still every other champ there can be!! Shot to everyone who paddled all champs

10-Aug-2008

the better looking of the PIT CREW - tumeke 2 all the Aotearoa teams especially Mr *T* & the j19 womens singles 6es & 12s also congrats 2 management Howard'Mate'Richard'Ben & they BOSSES Berth & those sidekicks of hers 'both there & home A big mihinui 2 Lesly'your moko & the rest of the girls have done us proud

10-Aug-2008

Anon - Contgratulatios... Jnr 19 Womens W6 500

GOLD: Rakeiao - TPOTI
BRONZE: Pikikotuku - TPOTI

Shot - Girlz all that hard training in the rain,hale and snow back her in Rotorua has paid off, us parents back home are so proud of you.

Arohanui... Te Arawa Whanau

10-Aug-2008

mak - Never mynd Hemi Wahapango and may be next time bro thoze guys just to good ova there bro.

10-Aug-2008

POU POASA WHANAU / TE AU RERE WHANAU - Well done J19 Women U's are the shizzles. U have done us proud in Aotearoa here. All the Aurere Whanau send there love and best wishes to u all.

As for the parents who are looking after our kids over there. U all rock!!!!! They should begiving u's medals as well.

KIA KAHA AN UP THE KIWI'S U GO HARD

10-Aug-2008

Anon - For all our kids.......you all rock, you kids have done us sooooo proud, you were all winners before you even got on the plane..........Not enough can be said for our parents who are looking after our kids.......you are all amazing.

Big big love
Ngati Heta, Hemopo, Maxwell

10-Aug-2008

Anon - If any 1 needs a big ups its Alex Ryder 4 keeping all the ones bak home here up to date with everything u the man cherz Alex.

10-Aug-2008

Anon - Well done every one Just emagen if Kiwis took long distance as serious as they do with the sprints may be we,ll win the Molokai one day so come NKOA its gota start with uz lets get N.Z paddlers more seriously into distance paddling and then one day we can say we,ve won the Molokai or Hawaiki nui who knows.

10-Aug-2008

Boof & Stacy-Lee - Awesome to all. Go da BoP. Way to represent !!

10-Aug-2008

Karmen Wallace - A huge congratulations to all our Aotearoa paddlers, coaches, managers, supporters and spectators on another successful worlds campaign from Aotearoa. Whilst I have no doubt there would have been a few grumbles and groans, ups and downs, highs and lows over the past week and indeed months, and there will be disappoint amongst some of you, at the end of the day you all did yourselves, your whanau and your country proud. Well done!

And Alex once again a huge mihi out to you bro. Without you it wouldn't be possible to have this outlet to voice our emotion and gratitude. Thank you and well done to you. And thank you to the Sacremento worlds committee for taking our man on board.

To each and every one of you over there we can't wait to hear all the stories, come home safely with your heads and your paddles held high . :-)

10-Aug-2008

Hemi Waerea, Proud supporter of TPOTI J16 Boys Team. - Kia ora, was a choice trip and sorry I couldnt stay to watch the finals but congrats to everyone for being there and competing and especially to all those who were medalists. 2meke.

10-Aug-2008

CC's Mum - Wgtn - I am so proud to have been able to send my recently turned 14 year old daughter to her first Worlds since starting out in waka ama as a mini midget with Horouta Waka Hoe. The fruits from all those who have surrounded us with their awhi over the many years have finally blossomed in my daughter and I am one proud Mum. I have no idea if she's coming home with a medal or not coz being the typical teenager that she is she hasn't told me the names of her J16 and J19 teams yet but what the heck she, like all our other J16s and J19s paddlers, won gold everytime they went to training on those bitterly cold mornings and evenings in near snow conditions. I'm so proud of my girl and all her fellow paddlers.

Go enjoy Disneyland and the rest of your trip with Aunty Char my girl. You two both deserve it. Luff you...and hurry up and tell me what your team names were lolz...

Thank you Kiwi, Tim, Irene, Willy, Kapua, Heather, Nick, Judy, Belinda, Kayla's aunty, Wendy, Gary, Nani, Papa, Charmaine, Eden, Corrie, Teina, TUOTR juniors and whanau and everyone else who played a part in getting my daughter to her first worlds for all your awhi.

YOU ALL ROCK BIG TIME!

10-Aug-2008

kw -Wgtn - Can't wait to see all the coverage on Maori TV. Thank you for being there guys.
Bring it on MEAN MAORI TV MEAN

10-Aug-2008

Steffan Wanoa - Tuatara Waka Ama Club - Congratulations !!!Tpoti J16 Boys ,J19 Girls ,

What a way to go in hard divisions

Well done Shaun proud of you bro, To Rachael, Renee,Nicole,Brandon,Mihaere,You guys have all done so well What an Awesome effort an inspiration to us all.
Kia kaha Noel, dave , bruce, you guys can hold your heads up high you footed it with the best and gave it your best thats all that can be asked of you.
To Howard congrats to you on your achievements not only on the water but off it as well.

Have a safe journey home and we look forward to seeing you guys when you get back.

Mean Maori's Mean.

10-Aug-2008

Hana-lee Wainohu - Awesome to Raikeiao and Pikikotoku wasn,t it all worth it, to all the whanau who didn,t make it to worlds. The long weeks of mahi from all those back stage, has come to fruitation. To those whanau who took my daughter half way across the world... Howard, Bertha and the coaches,, Thank you to all the NZ contingent for watching over Hana-lee I miss her and cant wait for her to come home.

xxxxxxxx mum

10-Aug-2008

Uncle Allen, Unty Pip and Girls (Wharewera Whanau) - Congrats to Raikeiao and Pikikotoku,wat an awesome result,You have proved your worth in the world and left your mark for all to see and envy!!!Your hard work has paid off now enjoy and relax...

To Nicole,Renee,Rachel and Brandon So proud off u all,wat more can we say, But show us those medals wen u get back......luff and miss u all

To Noel,Dave,Bruce and Mihaere awesome work to all off uz,to represent Aotearoa is something u should be proud off,u paddled with the best and dat makes u da best in our eyes.....

10-Aug-2008

Hokowhitu Whanau - Kia ora to the J19 Womens Pikitotuku and Rakaeio
Aotearoa teams. Awesome paddling and congratulations to you all.

Have a good time and see yous when you get back

Hokowhitu Whanau

10-Aug-2008

Uncle Allen, Unty Pip and Girls (Wharewera Whanau) - Sori Shaun,congrats to u az well....Mean Maori Mean...Take care and have a safe trip home...to all of uz,come hme safely....

Much Respect!!!!

10-Aug-2008

Uncle Allen, Unty Pip and Girls (Wharewera Whanau) - To Hemi Wahapongo...Tumeke Boy,u still number 1 in Aotearoa...Te Puku o Te Ika....and in the hearts of your Whanau back here in Whakatane....Hold your head up high and proud...

...Safe jounery home to u,ur mum and dad...

10-Aug-2008

Anon - Stop it uncle George i see u clean,d up in ur division i cant remember u doing much if any training for this ethier. U the man alrite coach and still paddle good must run in the family a Tyin beta watch his back u mite be cleaning him up next.Ha ha

10-Aug-2008

Anon - Tu!Meke! to all our paddlers we are all so proud of your hard training back home hea in the rain and to fly 11hours to step off that plain straight in to the Hot! Heat!it had to take a lot of strength to get use to.And only you could do that for your country Aotearoa! Uz definitely went to prove your point and so very proud we are!A Huge! thank you to all the sponsors,and supporters that supported the Marr boyz and their Father they could never had done this with out uzzzz! Coach"s cheerz to Uz. Awesome!UZZZ ALL ROCK!!!!! Rakai,Uenukurauiri,and da whanau!!!!!Safe journey home*****

10-Aug-2008

Rangitahi Papa and whanau - Rangitahi - J19 boys, helen george and whanau, heads up gentlemen we are all very proud of you. Before you know it you will be on your way home so while you are their remember you are doing us all proud against the worlds best and that you are the worlds best to us all. Look after each other, keep going hard. Stay safe Rangitahi
always in our hearts. Kia kaha boy, love papa,kath, korts and whanau.

10-Aug-2008

Vicki Johansen - Kia Ora Paddlers, coaches, support crews/whanau. You are all winners as you were up against tough competition and a country such as Tahiti who paddle more or less out of the womb. Maybe someday we'll have the support/recognition that they get nationally and financially. Until then if all the paddlers in the future put as much effort or more in as you all have to getting where you have got today,NZ will be a force to be reckoned with. By those results we are well on the way. Well done medal winners and non medal winners cause you gave it your all. Safe trip home

10-Aug-2008

Allen & Pip Wharewera - To the parents and Supporters of the J19 galz(TPOTI)team who are ova dere in the U S A thank you for making it possible for the galz to paddle!!!obviously if it were not for uz dey would not have been able to take dere place on the podium to receive dere medals....Uz are Turely da ones who need to be congradulated for all ur awhi,aroha....Well done to u all...

Safe journey home!!!

10-Aug-2008

DONZ GEE - CONGRATULATIONS TO PIKIKOTUKU AND RAKEIAO FOR THEIR HUGE ACHIEVEMENTS OF BEING MEDAL WINNERS

MEAN MAORI MEAN

10-Aug-2008

Anon - Ki nga kotiro tumeke a Ngati Wairere
Well done! Fantastic effort! So proud of you - you all worked and fundraised so hard for this.
Now have a fantastic time sightseeing and enjoying the places you are about to visit.
Safe journey home.
Arohanui,
Auntie Billie and Dana

10-Aug-2008

Old Kiwi Paddler - Congrats to all those that medaled. You have done NZ and yourselves proud.
A big congrats to Leanne who nearly pulled off the big double (master and open women V1), you made Evangelique work for the win. No doubt you are working on a stratgy to go one better next time.
Junior Women you are the bomb. Womens paddling is so strong with you guys as the future.
For all the hard work and financial sacrafice you had to endure to get to Sacramento, thank you, you have done our country proud...this applies to all paddlers and officials that attended.
As this Sprint series winds up how do we approach the next worlds..... We need to have all our gun paddlers there!
How can we make the next sprints more affordable and how can we take Aotearoa paddling to another level.
That is something for the newly appointed NKOA commitee to ponder.
I am somewhat scared that financial restraints will decide our representives, and not how they perform on the water.
This is a true concern...if we want to keep our sport growing.... we to address this.
Lotto funding?

10-Aug-2008

Oparoozy - Well done all you Kiwi Paddlers . Great photos too. Travel back safely

10-Aug-2008

Venus; Taniwha Waka Ama Club - That had to be one of the hardest worlds campaigne because going all the way to USA was not a trip taken on lightly. MJ (my big sister), Sugar, Liz, Chubby, Auds, Sara, Iritana, Katja and all those that I have in my heart and you know who you are, the long journey home now that everything is over is going to be a nice big rest for most of you, aye? So, so proud and can't wait to catch up on all the goss. Mean Taniwha Mean!!! Big ups to 'one mean coach' Ben Finau, your tamariki have done awesome and I am proud to know that you had a hand in getting them there. Hard work, commitment and passion; with those attributes you go along way.
Kia kaha taku tuahine ma...xox

10-Aug-2008

Dogfish - Just so everyone is aware back home - the coaches and supporters of the team gave up considerable time to assist the locals make this event what it was. With out their input and assistance this event would not have been as efficent and enjoyable as it was. A big thank you should go out to all those who put their time in.

11-Aug-2008

#DA TWINNIES#-(R&R) - Hey to all our whanau in whakatane miss uz all, we cant wait to come home. Miss everyone heaps.
we just left sacramento today to San fran, its a pretty mean place here, really hot though! geezs.....lucky there's air conditioning.

Hey guess what we went to the mall, and got a growling for not wearing shoes...LOL! everyone stares at you funny, it seems like an unusual thing to them, its really weird!!!!!!
BUT FUNNY!!!!!!

Sori i havnt called, i dont know how to?
But anyway love you all,
Miss u lots and i cant wait to see the fanau when we get back!

Love you all...

11-Aug-2008

Muri-y 4no - Yeeyaah Uncle George, kuzzie Dale nd Whae.

Congratulations 2 u both nd 2 u'r crew kuz. 1st NZ J19 womens team 2 take out da W6 500m wop wop!!

Kuz, wat's our chance of a fone??? okay, I'll jst hav a smirnoff den .. dahahaha!!! Safe travels nd c u at arrivals!!! No smirnoff, no ride!!!

11-Aug-2008

Anon - Ka pai koutou katoa. Kua rangatira tatau i a koutou! (PS: Prepare to be snap frozen when you get off the plane in NZ!)

11-Aug-2008

Maggie Greening - A big 'CONGRATULATIONS' to the entire contingent, paddlers, coaches, management and supporters for all your hard work, commitment and sacrifice in getting all our paddlers to Sacramento. It was an awesome sight to see so many of you returning to NZ as World Champions and medal winners. Finally, to Alex, Marinna, Shaun, Hellen, Hotu, Keith (move over Monica) and Lara thanks for stepping in and manning key areas of operations for the worlds, you have done NZ proud. Also to our three AC's (Tim, Samantha and Mere) who did heaps of running around (in the heat)to ensure our teams were where they needed to be, thanks for keeping it together. Hope you all have a well deserved rest and see you all back home.

11-Aug-2008

Bob and Mary (Cumbria,England) - Well done Tahi Dogfish boys maybe gold next time.

11-Aug-2008

Vicki Johansen - A learning curve...thanks for that, but I think that was a very expensive learning curve for us a whanau, for him a paddler, and for his team who had a better chance at winning gold. But thanks for your thoughts. :)

12-Aug-2008

Vesna Aroha Rdonich - V1 Open Womens' BRONZE MEDALIST - Kia Ora & Dobro Dosli
2008 World Waka Ama Champs... mean maori mean!
I take my hat down to all NZ team, you are amazing. Was so proud to be a kiwi at the Worlds! All of you so professional, strong, beautiful and graceful. I can see why other countries look up to us.
Thank you to all the coaches, family, friends, NZ admin team and paddlers for making it an OWESOME experience.
To all NZ World paddlers who "followed their dreams", can now say they made it a "REALITY"
Thank you and god bless you all

12-Aug-2008

Moses Whanau - Well done Gmama's we think that you are both fantastic. Glad to have you home safe

12-Aug-2008

sixnatives - Kia ora Te Whaeoranga.
We are all so proud of you! Well done on winning GOLD!
big ups to your Mum and Dad who have supported you over the last 12 months (and more) to get there!

Arohanui from all the Douglas whanau.

12-Aug-2008

Anon - mean whae ur my idol nah lol
just repz Te aurere....
u put dem on da mapz again.......
gud work buddy....

12-Aug-2008

Kool Runningz - 2meke waka ama hard koutou, awesome whanau nga mihi nunui ki a koutou nga kaihoe toa o Aotearoa. From the 'Kool Runningz' Waka Ama team from Maraenui, Napier, Hawkes Bay.

12-Aug-2008

Tweed Coast Outrigger KIWIS, Australia - Hearty Congratulations Aotearoa Waka Ama Contingent... TUMEKE! He Mihi Nui ki a Koutou Katoa!!!! DONE NZ PROUD... and Kiwi Waka Ama paddlers living all over the World!
Hemi Wahapango be the Champ that you are! Aussie beckons... excited about next World Champs.
Talitha, Faith, Mihaere, and all NZ Rangatahi, their Coaches/Managers... Parents/Whanau Support etc. TUMEKE! TUMEKE! NZ Pakeke/Kaumatua n Kuia AWESOME Role Models.
Maggie n Admin Co. = Another job Well Done.

12-Aug-2008

Ngati Haua HARD! - He mihi nui koutou te whanau whanui o nga kaihoe o aotearoa.

Well done to everyone who participated at the worlds in all roles (paddler, admin, managers etc). I'm sure everyone of you has taken & gotten something positive from these Worlds. TUMEKE.

As for personal raruraru/issues, this is not the page to voice such concerns. I'm sure this page was designed to celebrate the personal goals and achievements of our people, leave the raruraru until our people get back home safe and sound.

Thank you Alex for the awesome communication network. Big Ups to all our Clubs/Whanau back here in Aotearoa and a huge UPS to everyone who participated at the Worlds. Come home safe and Bless you all.

13-Aug-2008

Na Aunty Margie - Nga mihi ki a koe Te Whaeoranga kua eke panuku, kua eke tangaroa. He toa, he toki, e rongonuitia ana koe mo te hiringa o tau mahi hoe waka, e hine. Nga mihi ki a koe. Big ups to you both Zalene and Anthony. Mean Maori Mean.

13-Aug-2008

KaseKlosed - Hay whae sh0tskies 0n y0r medal...
h0pe tah c yah s00n asz l0l...big ups

13-Aug-2008

Hunty Ada, Huncle Wayne cuzzies Est, Kaycee & Tania - WAY 2 GO VICTORIA & NGAHUIA ON UR AWESUM EFFORTS ON WINNING UR MEDALS ALSO WOOOOOHOOOOO!!! 2 MUCH 2 DA J19 WAHINE SHUDA SENT U 2 DA OLYMPICS INSTEAD LOOKS LIKE UR GOLD IS DA ONLY GOLD NZ R GETTIN HEHEHEHE...& CHUR 2 MUCH 2 ALL U PEPOZ (",) TOIA TE WAKA..HII!!!

13-Aug-2008

Kohu - NOT JELLY N E MRE -hehehe - Me mihi ki a koe Alex i ngaa karere. Whai waahi ai koe ki te patopato haere kia moohio mai te hunga maatakitaki i te kainga he aha te aha, he tino mihi!
Thanks heapz Alex for all of the daily reports and updates on how the contingent was doing. To all of the NZ crew who worked hard to ensure we at home were kept informed, you're simply all THE BEST!

14-Aug-2008

Kohu - NOT JELLY N E MRE -hehehe - Koutou te ope whakataetae o te rohe nei, Tai Tonga, me mihi ka tika ki a koutou katoa, kaihoe mai, kaitiaki mai, maatua mai, kaiwhakanguunguu mai, kai tautoko mai. Teenaa koutou i too koutou kaha i whakaatuhia mai i ngaa marama kua taha ake nei, toona otinga ko ngaa whakataetae o te ao, ko te rirohanga mai o ngaa meetara hoki. Koutou katoa - he mihi nui, he mihi arohaa!!!
The biggest mihi to all of you of the southern region, Otaki through to Poneke, Maria, Barbs, Charmaine, Mereana, the boys, Koroiti, Jermaine, Tuhiwai, Daniel and the Matakookiri girls, Tapi, Marika, Hinekura, Crystal, Paegan,Keita and Katie!! I'm sure I have missed some of the senior women so if I have arohaa mai, all of you who represented, what can one say!!!!! ngaa mihi nui! as well as to all of your supporters who went with you and your coaches!!!!! Ka pai e kare maa!

14-Aug-2008

Pare. arau xxx - TE HOUTAEWA harty maori !! FFN northland went for gold !!!



Pare.arau xxxx

18-Aug-2008