WINNERS: Opononi Area School students Fern Donovan and Mihiora Waipouri (with Mary Dickson, Northpower), winners of the 2015 Tai Tokerau Challenge.
WINNERS: Opononi Area School students Fern Donovan and Mihiora Waipouri (with Mary Dickson, Northpower), winners of the 2015 Tai Tokerau Challenge.
There was sun, there was wind. There was also rain and large swells, but such are voyages aboard the R Tucker Thompson, albeit this time with one big difference.
For the first time this year's week-long Tai Tokerau Challenge aboard the Bay of Islands' tall ship was an all-girls adventure,billed by the trust as a celebration of strong, ambitious young women, and a memorable event for everyone aboard.
The Challenge voyage was once again made possible by the support of Northpower and Top Energy, each of which funded students from schools in their areas, giving them the chance to develop their leadership skills and push their boundaries while learning the value of teamwork.
Throughout the seven days, the teams of two competed in a variety of challenges for points. Some of those challenges were physical, while others required creativity and aptitude. The competition was tight, R Tucker Thompson Sail Training Trust executive trustee Jane Hindle said, and it was not clear who would win the trophy until the very end.
"While the teams were competitive, there was also a real sense of community aboard the ship," she added.
"During every voyage participants are asked to climb the rigging and go out to the far end of the yards in order to earn their 'anklets of honour' (a Turk's Head anklet, which is awarded for courage.) On the last day of the voyage all but one of the girls had received theirs, but with plenty of support and encouragement from the other competitors she met this challenge too, and earned her anklet."
Belinda Peddie and Russell Shaw from Top Energy saw the voyage off at Opua, wishing the students luck in their endeavours. The voyage ended at Marsden Cove marina, where Mary Dickson from Northpower presented the trophy to Mihiora Waipouri and Fern Donovan of Opononi Area School.
"Congratulations to the winners, and to all the participants - you did your schools proud," Ms Hindle said.
