Meet our Team
We are experienced, skilled, and passionate about Waka!
Patron – Sir Bob Harvey
Sir Bob Harvey was a founder of one of the country's larger advertising agencies, MacHarman Ayer (formerly MacHarman Advertising). His agency won many international awards for creativity including the first Cannes television award for a New Zealand television commercial. Prior to becoming Mayor of Waitakare City in 1992, Harvey served as Deputy Chairman of the New Zealand Film Commission from 1986 to 1992. From 1988 to 1990 he was Chairman of the 1990 Commonwealth Games Arts Festival. He is currently a board member of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, a position he has held since 2006, and the Aotea Board of Governance (since 1992). Sir Bob is an incredible swimmer who also loves paddling!
Wikuki Kingi, Tohunga Toi Ake (Rangatira – traditional carving and waka construction
Wikuki Kingi is a Tohunga Toi Ake; Master Carver, and Cultural Symbologist; a culmination of 26 generations of the ancient arts and first language of Indigenous technology and communication. A Native Scientist/Technologist he has an extensive history of creating artistic and cultural treasures for local and global communities including the world’s largest Maori / Pacific totem Pou Kapua. Wikuki is a founding trustee of Pou Kapua Creations Trust and the HAKAMANA Virtual Reality Collective; convenor and founding member of Planet Maori and TE HA Global Alliance who continue to support Indigenous technological sovereignty, 21st century productions, and business development.
Tania Haerekitera Wolfgramm (Chief Strategist)
Tania is the Chief Strategist for Te Ara Nui Waka. A director, systems designer, social scientist, evaluation specialist, technologist, and storyteller, Tania has extensive experience working with Maori, Pacific, and Indigenous communities on a broad range of projects spanning native arts, science, technology, community development and the environment. She has decades of experience with contract design, research and development, negotiation and management across the health, education, justice, creative, and foreign aid sectors. Tania is the founder of the Hakamana System of Transformative Design (see www.hakamana.com) and Hakamana AI; founding director of GRID Pacific (see www.gridpacific.com); and Executive Trustee of Pou Kapua Creations Trust (see www.poukapua.com). Tania remains a strong advocate for the creative sovereignty of Maori, Pasifika, and Indigenous peoples, including their rights to express their worldviews through the creation of waka - and freely live their waka cultures.
James Papali’i (Rangatira – waka ama paddling and competing)
James has been passionate about waka ama paddling for decades! He has competed in every NZ Waka Ama National Annual Event since the first one held in Karapiro 1990. He has won gold, silver and bronze medals in the masters, and senior masters w6 500 and 1000 metre divisions. At the events 30th Anniversary James was one of only 6 paddlers that had attended every event, placing him in the company of Matahi Greg Brightwell and his wife Raipoia, Corrina Gage and Louise Henderson. James also has numerous medals in the w6 division over the years at the NZ Waka Ama Long Distance (NZWALD) Nationals. He has competed in half of these events and at the last NZWALD Nationals James won a silver medal in the w2 section Golden Master with his mate Rob Kratt. On the international stage, James has competed in 11 of the World Waka Ama Sprint Championships, securing a silver medal in the w6 1000 meters and a bronze medal in the w6 500 meters Senior Masters division at Rio De Janeiro in 2016. James brings his extensive knowledge of waka and waka ama to Te Ara Nui.
POU KAPUA CREATIONS Trust
Pou Kapua Creations is led by Tohunga Toi Ake | Creative Director Wikuki Kingi, who has been recognised and acknowledged as a traditional knowledge holder, expert, and authority of Māori art, culture, and heritage. Tania Haerekitera Wolfgramm is also an Executive Trustee and is the Chief Strategist for the Trust. Pou Kapua Creations is supported by whānau, hapū, iwi, matawaka, and communities across Tāmaki Makaurau, Aotearoa, and the Pacific. The kaupapa of Te Ara Nui brings and weaves people together in ways that are both transformative and enduring.
For more information visit www.poukapua.com
Manukau Outrigger Canoeing Whare Nui Trust
The Trust was established to assist in financing the building of clubroom facilities for the housing of traditional Polynesian Canoes and Sailing vessels, for the purpose of developing the culture and sport of Outrigger Canoeing in New Zealand.
Portage Crossing Traditional Canoeing and Sailing Association
The Association was established to revive an ancient traditional route used by Māori and, later, early European Settlers, to transport waka, canoes, and fishing boats between the Manukau and Waitemata harbours. The Association develops, encourages, and organises the sport and culture of traditional Polynesian canoeing and sailing of single, double and triple hull canoes of the Pacific. The club has always sought guidance and support from Tainui mana whenua Kaumatua and Matai from our Pasifika nations, including naming and blessings of the clubs' waka.
The club members are foundation members of the Aotearoa waka ama community. The club remains focused on giving rangatahi and whanau of Māngere and the broader Auckland community positive and culturally relevant activities. Many of the rangatahi that started with the clubs in the early days are still paddling and are in coaching roles today.