Namakaliiokalanipaihi Barclay Kerr
(Waikato, Hawaii)
(Waikato, Hawaii)
Namaka is the eldest son of well-known waka leader Hoturoa Barclay-Kerr and was raised in kaupapa waka.
Born in the Waikato in 1988, Namaka was educated at Te Kura Kaupapa o Toku Mapihi Maurea in Hamilton, and spent three years as a secondary school student at Ke Kula `Ō Nāwahī’ okalani’ōpu’u in Hawaii. Graduating with a Bachelor of Arts from Waikato University in 2010 and a teaching diploma in 2014, Namaka returned to Te Kura Kaupapa o Toku Mapihi Maurea as a kaiako in 2017.
Namaka was introduced to waka taua as a five-year old tīheru (bailer) on Taheretikitiki from Tūrangawaewae and his first voyage as a kaihoe was to Maketū paddling for his father. Reflecting on his upbringing in kaupapa waka, Namaka described his father’s training as tough, disciplined and entertaining.
"I wouldn't be the man I am if I didn't get to experience all those things"
Despite the challenges, Namaka truly appreciates his father’s wisdom and experience, and deeply cares that this knowledge is passed to his child. Hoturoa has trained Namaka’s son, Tuunuil-aa-Rangi, who paddles waka ama for the whānau club, Te Toki, and is the kai-tīheru for Taheretikitiki. Every now and then Tuunuil will sail with his grandfather or with his uncle John-Reid, captain of the waka hourua Haunui and Hinemoana.
Namaka appreciates the softer relationship that Tuunuil enjoys with his grandfather, though rues, to some degree, that this method has achieved a similar result. Indeed, Namaka applies this attitude in his own teaching and committed to developing and improving what he has received. Within their whānau, Hoturoa now focusses his efforts on waka hourua traditions and practices, Namaka's brother pursued waka ama and Namaka is primarily focused on waka taua and waka kōpapa. TE HONO KI AOTEAROA
Namaka Kerr (second from left), Te Hono ki Aotearoa, Queen's Diamond Jubilee, River Thames, London 2012
Namaka was selected to represent Aotearoa as a kaihoe for two Te Hono Ki Aotearoa events: the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee on the River Thames and the centennial commemoration of the Battle of Passchendaele, Belgium in 2017. Namaka also played a lead role in the presence of the waka tētēkura, Tahimana, at the Frankfurt Book Fair, Germany in 2012, which was predominantly crewed by Dutch kaihoe from the Njord Royal Student Rowing Club.
Queen's Diamond Jubilee kaihoe training, Kirikiriroa, 2012
To prepare as a Te Hono ki Aotearoa kaihoe Namaka was required to attend wānanga and training in the Waikato, and was amazed at the level of respect shared among the kaihoe and the generous sharing of knowledge, techniques and experiences.
Queen's Diamond Jubilee kaihoe wānanga, Kirikiriroa, 2012
Namaka reveals the style of training for international events is specifically tailored to the requirements of the occasion. To prepare for the 2012 Queens Diamond Jubilee, the wānanga and trainings were heavily invested in water training and kapa haka to prepare for the physically demanding long-distance paddle.
Queen's Diamond Jubilee kaihoe wānanga, Kirikiriroa, 2012
When preparing for the ceremonial commemoration of the New Zealand soldiers who fell in World War One, however, Namaka remembers the wānanga as focused on the symbolism of the waka and what it represents to Māori people. Namaka really appreciated this focus on knowledge of Māori art forms and practices around the waka.
Fuifui Teevale and Namaka Kerr, New Zealand Passchendaele Memorial, Zonnebeke, Belgium, 2017
Training is, however, critically important for the success of international waka events, with Namaka stressing the high physical and mental performance demanded by waka taua as well as unity among the crew.
Queen's Diamond Jubilee kaihoe wānanga, Kirikiriroa, 2012
Involvement in waka from such a young age has created a passion within Namaka and a natural appreciation and curiosity for waka practises maintained by many cultures around the world. I enjoy reliving and doing something that our ancestors used to do before us.”
Kaupapa Waka is also a natural environment for the development of te reo Māori and tikanga Māori, and Namaka takes advantage of these opportunities to fully utilise te reo and learn more about the history and significance of waka taua.
Namaka Kerr, Centenary of the Battle of Passchendaele, Menin Gate, Belgium, 2017
Namaka supports the New Zealand Prime Minister’s 2020 pledge to include waka in the national school curriculum. He observes that while many schools include waka ama in current activities, the history, significance and traditions of waka hourua and waka taua have been overlooked and Namaka views this pledge as contributing to the course of action to revive Māori art forms.
Waka Journeys:
Queens Diamond Jubilee, London, UK 2012 Frankfurt, Germany 2012 Belgium 2017 |
Prepared by Whatarangi Winiata, 2022