The Waikato’s only sea scout group has received Royal New Zealand Navy recognition.
Scouts and Venturers from Kirikiriroa & St Peter’s Scout Group celebrate their win at Northland Regatta in 2023.
Kirikiriroa & St Peter’s Scout Group, which trains and sails Scout Standard Cutters and Sunbursts on lakes Karāpiro, Ngā Roto, Rotoroa, and Taupo, received naval recognition after meeting the highest standards of scouting and seamanship.
The navy recognition standards reflect those expected of the Sea Cadet Forces and naval training establishments and is only awarded to the top 15 scout groups in the country.
The group was formed in 2022 when Kirikiriroa Scout Group’s meeting place was demolished to make way for emergency housing, leading it to partner with St Peter’s Sea Scout Group. Since then, it has become one of the largest and fastest growing groups in the country.
“Naval recognition is an amazing achievement, especially as the majority of the group had little to no seamanship experience when the two groups partnered in 2022,” said Chris Gardner, a group leader of Kirikiriroa and St Peter’s Scout Group and a journalist working for The News.
“Our youth have worked very hard to improve their boating, paddling, water safety and complementary emergency skills over that time.”
Scouts put a Kirikiriroa & St Peter’s Sunburst through its paces on Lake Taupo.
The group leader for kea and cubs, Scott Aitken, said the recognition reflected the ongoing passion and commitment of the group’s kaiārahi (adult leaders) to enable youth to succeed despite adversity.
“I believe we are the only landlocked sea scout group in Aotearoa, sailing on Lake Rotoroa in Kirikiriroa Hamilton. This comes with its own set of challenges relating to water quality and access issues. All have been overcome through remarkable leadership and vision within the group.”
Scouts Aotearoa Waikato Zone water activities advisor Dave Smith described the achievement as “wonderful news”.
“Kirikiriroa & St Peter’s has worked tirelessly to get youth afloat,” he said.
“Both youth and kaiārahi alike, have upskilled themselves in sailing, rowing, kayaking, powerboating and seamanship, gained multiple scout and professional qualifications, attended regattas, and been involved in the updating the group’s fleet of boats,” he added.
Scouts and venturers won the Senior Scout Standard Cutter Trophy at the 2023 Scouts Aotearoa Northland Zone Regatta after crossing the finish line in a cutter borrowed from Shackleton Sea Scout Group in Whangārei. Both of Kirikiriroa & St Peter’s cutters had failed swamp tests after their buoyancy tanks had sprung a leak and taken on water.
Last year Kirikiriroa & St Peter’s with Putaruru Scout Group took home the Senior Seamanship Trophy from Kai Iwi Lakes.
Since then the group has raised funds through sponsorship to buy two new cutters which were launched last year.
“Being one of only 15 scout groups to be awarded Royal New Zealand Navy Recognition nationally is a testament to the group’s hard mahi and dedication,” Smith said.
The group will be presented with a Commander of the Navy Naval Recognition pennant and its youth and Kaiārahi can wear the Scouting New Zealand Naval Recognition badge.
The group is one of the largest, and fastest growing, in the country.
Kirikiriroa & St Peter’s Scout Group members practice water safety amidst their new cutters on Lake Taupo.
