Kaitawhiti Kereopa Competes at Waka Ama World Championships
Raglan’s Kaitawhiti Kereopa has landed in South America with the Aotearoa Waka Ama team for the 2025 International Va’a Federation (IVF) World Distance Championships in Florianópolis, Brazil. This is his third year racing in the Junior 19 Men’s team, and his first representing New Zealand in the Open Men’s division.
The championships, which run from this weekend, feature paddlers from 22 countries racing distances between 16km and 24km. After a series of training camps in the lead-up, Kai said the team is motivated despite the weather. “It’s been cold, but we’re real hungry. It doesn’t stop us, ever,” he said. Teams are currently settling in and completing course familiarisation ahead of Friday’s opening ceremony.
Simon Te Wheoro Selected for International Sculpture Symposium
Raglan artist Simon Te Wheoro, of Toi Hauāuru Arts Studio & Gallery, will head to Belgium in late August to take part in the Centre d’Interprétation de la Pierre Sprimont stone sculpture symposium. The event brings together sculptors from around the globe to create large-scale works and share techniques, cultural knowledge, and inspiration.
Simon says the invitation is both a personal and cultural milestone. “I’m excited to attend another sculpture symposium in Europe and pay homage to ngā mātua tūpuna – to honour this taonga tuku iho that is toi Māori.”
Board of Trustees Election at Raglan Area School
Alongside the local body election period, Raglan Area School is holding its Board of Trustees elections. Nominations have been received, and a ‘Meet the Candidates’ session will take place on 17 August, hosted by former board chair Lisa Thomson.
Warren Parker Elected Chair of Shearing Sports NZ
Raglan’s Warren Parker has been appointed the new chair of Shearing Sports New Zealand, succeeding Sir David Fagan. The handover was confirmed at the organisation’s annual meeting in Christchurch over the weekend. Parker was elected unopposed to a three-year term after other nominations were withdrawn.
A well-known figure in the shearing community, Warren has long been involved in the sport’s administration. He operates timing systems, helps run competitions, and recently worked with a Hamilton IT company to update electronic sheep counters. He plans to attend as many events as possible in a season that includes nearly 60 competitions, culminating in the Golden Shears World Shearing in Masterton next March.