WORD of THE MINISTER TAUHITI NENA

It will be the 18th year that the Hawaiki nui va’a  exists! It is to say how strongly anchored in spirits this event is.

The va’a is what allowed our ancestors to move and to populate our islands, today, it is still a very important event and it demonstrates our strong attachment in our origins, our roots, our culture!

It was in 1992 when the open-sea-race Hawaiki Nui va’a saw the day. The challenge being considerale: bringing together by dint of harm strength,  in the manner of our ancestors, Huahine, Raiatea,  Tahaa and Bora Bora Islands.

The success is rapidly on, the event gets larger and popularizes itself, it is moreover registered on the annual Polynesian sports calendar.

For this 18th edition which will take place on November 4th, 5th and 6th which I wish as successful as the previous ones, I was keen on pointing out the spirit of competitiveness of our paddlers. If it is true that this year the budget assigned to the race was reduced, the fact remains that Hawaiki Nui Va’a still benefits from the unfailing support of the Country via the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Community life which gives the staff and also all the logistics of these establishments and services of supervision into contribution. Moreover, I like to give thanks to all of them for their unfailing collaboration.

The work undertaken fro years by the Tahitian Federation of va’a henceforth bears its fruits. Our dear departed Edouard MAAMAATUAIAHUTAPU would unquestionably have been proud to see how much success the development and the practice of va’a in our Fenua has got today.

The 18th edition of Hawaiki Nui Va’a can only be promising in challenge. THE ACOHV or Organizing Committee of the Hawaiki Nui Va’a merits our greetings for organizing a race such as the Hawaiki Nui Va’a which is not an easy task to do.

The help of many of our partners, municipalities, parishes, associations, spot responsible, volunteers is inseparable and necessary for the good progress of this event.

Let you be all thanked!

A final word to our paddlers men and women, because without them there would be no entertainment. Your efforts and daily trainings show the craze that you carry for the va’a, I can only encourage you to continue in this way,make this 18th edition of Hawaiki Nui Va’a a special event  greeted by the whole audience and, may the best wins!

Mauruuru, Te aroha ia rahi !

Tauhiti NENA Minister of Youth, Sports and the Community Life.