Member Profile – Oiroa (Oods) Kaihau

Despite the current ‘cost of living challenges’ facing all community events, Bike Manawatu is 100% committed to ensuring the 51st year of the Novice Tour – once again provides a safe, fun, competitive cycle racing event.

We will adopt a high-quality assured approach in implementing the Local Roading Authority’s/Cycling New Zealand’s ‘Safe Traffic Management System’ (STMS) standards which ensure best practices and rider and spectator safety.

If the level of community funding secured is not sufficient to contract in external road management service providers with the ability to stop/go traffic, the Novice Tour will proceed on a ‘local club racing’ model, whereby our team of trained/experienced road marshals will, where necessary, pause racing in order to give way to traffic and ensure rider safety.

Although funding external road management services with the ability to stop/go traffic is ideal, if this is not feasible – we are confident that the event’s ‘Safe Traffic Management System’ (STMS) will provide a competitive, fair, enjoyable and importantly safe racing environment.

Irrespective of which model of traffic management/racing is finalised, as with all CNZ/Bike Manawatu events, normal road rules will apply and a full rider briefing confirming the event rules will be provided to all riders prior to the start of each race.

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My interest in cycling has been ongoing since I was in my mid twenties. It gathered more momentum when my oldest son wanted to cycle competitively while at PNBHS on the road and track in 2005. Closely following behind him was my youngest son. Cycling has become a family passion for my entire family for the last six years and it continues to dominate a number of our weekends as we bounce between road and track events over the country in support of our children. My wife Kirsty can often be seen taking photos, standing on a corner in a fluro top or recordings results.
For me cycling is a means to an end to keep my weight down and to stay relatively healthy. I do enjoy the competitive nature of graded racing but I’m just as comfortable to ride recreationally when my fitness isn’t up to racing. I hope to be involved more as a coach in years to come but I am happy to help out as an administrator or manager.
I’m at Massey University these days after a 25 year career in the NZ Army but I bring to table some strategic planning experience and lots of enthusiasm to see cycling grow in the region. Having been to Invercargill a number of times for NZ track nationals with my children, I am a strong advocate for a velodrome in Palmerston North.