“New kids on the block” YMP gave notice to their more established opponents at the Waka Ama NZ sprint nationals: here they come.

An eight-team YMP Waka Ama contingent returned to Tairāwhiti from the week-long championships at Lake Karapiro last week with eight medals.

Their six-gold/two-silver haul put them fourth on the medal table – this from a club formed within the past decade and aimed mainly at youth.

“We’re focused on building our kids,” club president David Jones said.

He, club captain Nancy Tarawa and treasurer Courtney Onekawa started the club in 2015, in time to send “about five teams” to the sprint nationals in January 2016.

Jones, Tarawa and Onekawa had all been trained in their youth by Mareikura Waka Ama Club founder and waka ama pioneer Matahi Brightwell, and had paddled with Kiwi Campbell before she moved to the fledgling Horouta Waka Hoe Club.

“While we were with Mareikura there was always a dream – set up a club and bring it home to Manutuke,” Jones said.

“We had a conversation with Kiwi about the club – she was a YMP netballer – and she had a conversation with her Horouta clubmates,” Jones said.

“We started with two waka we borrowed from Horouta for a year or two.

“We didn’t really have heaps of numbers because we wanted to focus on building some quality and instilling values into our kids.

“For us, values are important – knowing who you are, and understanding that through hard work, determination and a whole lot of training you will get results.

“Those values sit within Te Ao Māori [the Māori world view] ... having a true sense of self and the value of community. I think working for and supporting your community is important. We say that because our coaches come from the community.

“Some people have come home specifically to support the community and to give back.

“We have won medals throughout the life of the club but this year we’ve done really well. It’s a testament to all the hard work that’s happened over the years. It hasn’t just been one summer.

YMP J16 men’s crew Rukupo celebrate victory in the W6 1000m (with turns). They are (from the front, back of the waka obscured): Makauri Hape, Te Mania Tapatahi, Koha Rangihuna, Reia Paenga-Morgan, Te Maumahara Hape and Te Oranga Hape. Photo / Waka Ama NZ

Some of the teams would have a significant proportion of their crews returning next year, which would help maintain momentum.

“Last year our midgets got a silver medal,” Jones said. “This year they won two gold medals ... over half of that team will be in the midget division for at least another season. So, too, with our intermediate boys’ and girls’ teams.

“Our intermediate girls’ team didn’t get any medals but this is their first year in that division.

“The Junior 16 men’s team won the 1000-metre turns race. They missed out on the medals at the world sprint champs in Hawaii last year but have made their mark this year.

“All our clubs in Gisborne know it takes a lot of work, sacrifice and commitment – a lot of time on the water – to be successful.”

The state of city rivers following sewage discharges related to heavy rain and sewer blockages posed challenges to YMP’s training for the sprint nationals, Jones said.

“Before Christmas we had to pack up and take the kids to Ōpōtiki for three days to train there, and the week before the champs we had to put waka on trailers and drive to Tolaga Bay,” he said.

“We’re thankful to the people in Ōpōtiki and Tolaga Bay, who allowed us to go and train on their rivers.”

Jones, 38, has a background in law, was a reporter, presenter and election-night anchor for Māori Television, has worked for and with iwi both as a chief executive and consultant, and now does consultancy work for companies and government and non-government agencies, splitting his time between London and Gisborne.

He went to Manutuke School and Gisborne Boys’ High School and is happy to be helping with the realisation of the YMP Waka Ama dream.

Jones wanted to thank YMP’s team of coaches: Kiana Ria, Reon Hawkins, Petra and Ropoama Hape and head coach Nancy Tarawa.

“Without them we would be stumped!”

The podium party for the J16 men’s W6 1000m (with turns) victory by YMP crew Rukupo are, back (from left): Hauraki-Waikato MP Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke, Koha Rangihuna, Reia Paenga-Morgan, Te Mania Tapatahi, Makauri Hape and Te Maumahara Hape. Front: Te Oranga Hape. Photo / Waka Ama NZ

An affiliation of like-minded individuals

Since 1923, when its community officially adopted the rugby club, Manutuke has been the home territory of YMP. Hockey, netball, basketball and, now, waka ama clubs have followed rugby’s lead.

The Young Māori Party (YMP) was not an organised political party but an affiliation of like-minded individuals – most notably James Carroll (Ngāti Kahungunu), Apirana Ngata (Ngāti Porou), Māui Pomare (Ngāti Mutunga, Ngāti Toa) and Te Rangi Hīroa, also known as Peter Buck (Ngāti Mutunga) – who promoted Māori social advancement.

They encouraged the revival of Māori culture and the formation of sports and cultural groups, and promoted the benefits of good health, housing and education.

All four were knighted for their public service. The full name of YMP is sometimes given as Young Māori Players.