This year Auckland rowing club members Greg Reid and Matt Jones will be rowing in the 32nd Annual Portage Crossing waka ama regatta. This regatta is the revival of the first crossing by the Tainui waka and captained by Hoturoa. The first leg is 18km from Okahu Bay, down Tamaki Estuary to Auckland Rowing Club Panama Road. This year paddlers will be walking the 5km distance because of excessive traffic management costs and waka will be towed to the Mangere Inlet, sales yard road Otahuhu. Paddlers will then race the final 3km journey to Mangere Bridge waterfront road reserve. Paddlers will be welcomed by Tainui elders and a free family festival with free children’s rides sponsored by Mainfreight.
Greg Reid long time Panama Road resident says that joining the 32nd Portage Crossing is exciting, and they are glad to be part of this event, as early settlers would also transport their fishing vessels between the two harbors before the Mangere Bridge was built. I want to encourage other rowers to do this journey as ‘Portage Road Otahuhu’ is a special road, linking two harbors, and two oceans.
Kayakers from Manukau Canoe Club will also be participating in this year’s portage crossing waka ama event and free family festival. President Roger French is happy that paddlers from his club are keen to do the journey along side other paddlers from different disciplines.
James Papali’i, founder and trustee of portage crossing, feels grateful and humbled that other watercrafts are participating in this special event. This regatta is unique to Auckland City and the world. The revival of the ancient Māori route first utilized by the Tainui waka, and then early settlers, is opened to all sea voyaging crafts. Barry Tumai chairperson of Portage Crossing Trust wants families to attend the free festival at Mangere Bridge waterfront road reserve from11.00am – 4.00pm Barry states that this year is special as there will be a handing over ceremony from Chairperson of MUMA board Bernie O’Donnell to Tainui trust board kaumatua Martin Cooper.