Club History

Following the 1972 Munich Olympic Games, Rusty Robertson, Coach of the New Zealand Gold Medal Eight was asked to speak at the Hauraki Plains College Sports Prizegiving.

On his way to the event when driving down Kaihere Road, he saw a 4km long man-made canal. Upon his arrival at school, he commented to the School Principal Bert O'Brien and teacher Bruce Ratcliffe, "that's some of the best training water in New Zealand".

They didn't miss the point.

In 1974, Hauraki Rowing Club was formed by Bruce Ratcliffe and local farmer Richard Webster, both of whom coached, with Richard ultimately coaching at the highest level, eventually becoming a New Zealand selector.

Over the years, rowers in our club have won numerous national trophies, both School and Club, and created 13 rowers who have been picked to row for New Zealand at international level including the Olympics and World Championships.

Hauraki competes at Twizel and Karapiro in the New Zealand Secondary School Champs (Maadi Cup).

Future international rowers 'train in the drain' here, on the Piako River.