At the 2016 Aotearoa Maori Titles at Waitara Beach over the weekend, the premier Men’s and Women’s Divisions were accompanied by a further eight age categories and disciplines.
Jayden Willoughby at the Maori Surfing Champs – Image Daisy Day
Young Nga Puhi surfer Jayden Willoughby of Raglan claimed two titles in the Under 16 and Under 14 Boys Divisions. The young Raglan surfer took a liking to the long running lefts on the Waitara Bar to best his opponents. In the Under 16 Boys Division he beat good friend Kora Cooper (Ngai Tai), Lee Ririnui (Ngati Ranginui), and Navryn Malone (Te Aitanga a Mahaki) who finished second through fourth respectively.
In the Under 14 Boys Division, Willoughby beat James Ririnui (Ngati Ranginui), Josef Jungwirth (Ngai te Rangi), and Ryder Pennington (Maniapoto) in that order.
Mount surfer Kehu Butler claims Open and Runner up for Ngai te Rangi at the 2016 Aotearoa Maori Titles at Waitara Beach over the weekend, beating his dad Khan in the open.
Frontrunners in the clash of the iwi are Tangata whenua Te Atiawa thanks to two impeccable performances from young Zhana Hutchieson who claimed double titles at her home break.
The final day of the event was played out in small but fun 0.5m – 1.0m waves at Waitara Beach with clean conditions in the morning giving way to light afternoon sea breezes.
While it was clear from the outset that Te Atiawa were the front runners to claim the clash of the Iwi, Kehu’s performance for Ngai te Rangi made a battle for the title right until the final heat of the event.
“This is my first time at the Maori Nats, it has been an awesome event and I can’t wait to come back next year” says Kehu.
“It was pretty cool to surf a final with Dad, he was giving me beef last night trying to put pressure on me but it didn’t work out that way and I beat him in the final today.”
Butler is happy to see Ngai Te Rangi finish second. “It is a huge result for us, we are all stoked, hopefully we can get more Maori surfers coming to the event next year and Ngai te Rangi may be able to challenge for the title again.”
Butler won the final over Chris Malone (Te Aitanga a Mahaki) who finished runner up, Jayson Zimmerman (Te Atiawa) in third and Khan Butler (Ngai te Rangi) in fourth.
Zhana Hutchieson posted a 14.43 point heat total to win the Open Women’s Division over fellow Te Atiawa sisters Sophia Moore in second and Jo Moore in fourth with Te Rarawa surfer Renee Ruddell placing third.
Hutchieson also won the Under 18 Girls Division to match the feats of Butler, beating Brie Bennett (Ngati Hine) in second, Natasha Gouldsbury (Te Atiawa) in third and Kahana Ngaia (Te Atiawa) in fourth.
“Pretty stoked to take two titles out at my home break, the waves for here are pretty average today but there were a few good ones and I had so much fun this weekend,” says Zhana.
“It is a really big thing bringing the Maori Titles back home to Waitara and for us to win the Clash of the Iwi title is massive.
“Next year I am looking forward to competing against more Maori girls from around the country.”
The senior men’s divisions saw further double finalists and it was Chris Malone (Te Aitanga a Mahaki) that won the Over 35 Men’s Division and Jason Matthews (Te Atiawa) that won the Over 45 Men’s Division.
Jamie Andrews (Te Atiawa) won the Longboard Division over Geoff Pardoe (Ngati Porou), Jason Matthews (Te Atiawa) and Isaac Johnston (Nga Puhi).
In the Stand Up Paddleboard Division it was Geoff Pardoe that reversed the roles with Jamie Andrews taking a title back to Gisborne with Sean Hovell (Ngai Porou) in third and Alan Te Moananui (Ngai Tahu) in fourth.
Open men’s and under 18 boys winner Kehu Butler (left), Jason Matthews over 45 men’s champion, and open women’s winner Zhana Hutchieson.
Please see below for final results from the 2016 Aotearoa Maori Titles presented by Evitan Events completed at Waitara Beach today (Sunday 23rd October).
Open Men Final
Kehu Butler (Ngai Te Rangi), 17.13, 1, Chris Malone (Te Aitanga a Mahaki), 15.03, 2, Jayson Zimmerman (Te Atiawa), 13.6, 3, Khan Butler (Ngai Te Rangi), 9.4, 4
Open Women Final
Zhana Hutchieson (Te Atiawa), 14.43, 1, Sophia Moore (Te Atiawa), 9.13, 2, Renee Ruddell (Te Atiawa), 7.8, 3, Jo Moore (Te atiawa), 5.5, 4
Under 18 Boys Final
Kehu Butler (Ngai Te Rangi), 15.9, 1, Reef Matthews (Te Atiawa), 12.9, 2, Lee Ririnui (Ngati Ranginui), 12.17, 3, Thomas Norton (Ngati Wai), 7.03, 4
