As high school students take a break, a Ngāti Toa and Ngāti Raukawa descendant is preparing for the world junior rowing championships held in Rio in August.
It's still dark and Anahera Nin has already started her day. She says, “It's been recorded as the coldest winter in New Zealand, so it's been pretty cold.
Despite the cold and the early mornings, it doesn't hinder this 17-year-old's preparation.
in says, “We're training for the world junior championships held in Rio from the 4th to the 9th and it'll be cool to test out the Olympic course.”
She is competing in the 2km coxless four event, and is carrying a shoulder injury but she has not let it affect her.
Coach John O'Connor says, “She had to go to Auckland to do a bone scan. As far as she was concerned she was ready to get back in the boat. The doctor said no, no, no, I have to examine you first. So just that determination to be a part of it, that's what makes a winning athlete.”
Her coach says she is one of few Māori in the sport.
“For the first year we have got 4 Māori and Pacific Island background, that’s really exciting. Rowing was typically developed in Europe, it tends to be white European. It's been hard to attract Māori and Pacific Island students, so having four out of a group of 22 athletes.”
She also has aspirations to go further.
Nin says, “An ultimate goal of mine is to maybe get to the Olympics someday. Rio might be a bit soon but definitely 2020, the Tokyo Olympics.”
Nin needs financial help to represent New Zealand at the World Rowing Junior Champs held in Rio this year on July 31 so she has started a Givealittle page to help raise the money she needs to chase her dreams.