The Making of TAI

Originally from Pawarenga in the Hokianga, Conan’s involvement with waka ama (outrigger canoe paddling) in New Zealand spans his entire life. His parents were original paddlers who played a crucial role in the resurgence of paddling sports in New Zealand during the late ’80s. Nga Hoe Horo, located in the Far North, was one of the pioneering waka ama clubs in the country at that time. Conan fondly recalls his youth, being “dragged around the country (racing)” as part of this early paddling community.

Conan started competitive paddling at a young age and has represented New Zealand on the global stage. His competitive journey began at the age of 15 with his first world championships in Fiji. Over the years, he has secured national sprint and distance titles, showcasing his skills. Conan has not only competed but has also steered top teams in prestigious races like the Hawaiki Nui Va’a in Tahiti and the Molokai Hoe in Hawaii.

During school breaks, he worked at the Moananui workshop in Tutukaka for the Kjeldsen family. After finishing school, Conan continued to build paddles for Moananui. His academic journey led him to study systems engineering at Massey University from 2003 to 2005, which ignited his passion for product design. Meanwhile, Lana, a native of Raglan, started paddling in the mid-1990s under the coaching of Hoturoa and Kim Barclay Kerr.

In late 2006, Conan and Lana established TAI Paddles in Raglan. What started as a small venture has grown into one of the leading manufacturers of waka ama and outrigger canoe paddles in New Zealand.

Today, TAI has its own manufacturing facilities in Southeast Asia, where the best handcrafts, raw material resources, and logistics advantages in the watersports industry are found. Global distribution is managed from here for worldwide distributors and the online store.

TAI is proud to be a sponsor for Waka Ama NZ and the New Zealand elite national team. We support young and junior paddlers worldwide to encourage the canoeing communities and help them achieve their goals in their sports careers.

TAI Paddles is committed to providing the best equipment, with a dedication to ensuring that every customer is not just satisfied but delighted with their products.