Meet the beautiful Te Waiotu
The Faces of Gemma Lee
Gemma Lee was built on a love of the ocean, movement, and creating pieces that make women feel confident in and out of the water. Our team riders bring that vision to life every day. They're surfers, creatives, adventurers, and all-round legends who share our passion for living brightly and embracing every salty moment. Today we're very exciting to introduce our first ever Team Rider Te Waiotu...
Kia Ora Hello!
It’s Te Waiotu here, my friends call me Te Wai (pronounced like Tear - Why). It means ‘The Water’.
I've always loved that surfing gives me the freedom to express who I am.
One of the things I admire most about Gemma Lee is the creativity behind every design. As an arts student, I see surfing as another form of creative expression. Every wave gives you the opportunity to draw different lines, move with flow and express your own style. I love that Gemma Lee celebrates that individuality through colourful designs that bring art into the ocean.
Growing up on the East Coast of New Zealand, in Te Tairāwhiti, has shaped the surfer and the person I am today. The ocean has always been home, and every time I paddle out at my local break I feel a deep sense of belonging. It's where I learnt to surf, where I've built my confidence and where I continue to learn. Even though I love travelling and competing, there's something special about coming home to the familiar waves, knowing the coastline and sharing uncrowded surf with the people I love.
The ocean is also my place of cleansing. It's where I go to learn, to find balance and to be reminded that the sea can both give and take. Watching Cyclone Gabrielle devastate my home region changed the way I see the environment. It showed me how quickly the places we love can change. Being involved in creative projects after the cyclone gave me the opportunity to help tell our community's story and raise awareness through both art and surfing. That's one of the reasons joining the Gemma Lee family feels so special. We share a passion for caring for the ocean, protecting our environment and ensuring these places are here for future generations to enjoy.
What makes being part of the Gemma Lee family so special is the sense of community the brand has created. It's about creating beautiful products responsibly, celebrating women in the water and building a community where everyone feels welcome.
I hope that when young girls and wāhine see me surfing, they see someone who is simply enjoying being in the ocean and expressing herself. If my journey encourages even one person to dream big, believe in themselves and feel like there's a place for them in the water, then that's something I'll always be proud of.
For me, surfing has never been just about riding waves. It's about creativity, connection and sharing something you love with the people around you.
If you’re ever out on the East Cape of the North Island of New Zealand, give me a shout out and I’d love to surf with yah !
Ngā mihinui, Lots of Love
Te Wai x