AGM Pa sports day a huge success

Mana Elizabeth Hunkin receives the Taku Toa Takimano.

Thousands of Ngati Kahungunu whanau came from all over the country to be a part of this year's 10th annual AGM Pa Sports. The day saw 1500 Kahungunu descendants representing their marae as they battled it out in touch, volleyball, netball and everything in between, including an old favourite, tug of war.

But this year whanau got to put their singing skills to the test, with the Kahungunu Inter Marae Karaoke Duo competition. A first for the AGM, an event that was a huge hit with many giving it a go, representing the 20 marae in the region. But the fun didn't end there, with about 4000 people cooling off with a dip at Splash Planet.

Waimarama Marae sports teams at the AGM Sports Day.

Innovation Hub

The planned Kahungunu Innovation Hub for Hastings is still on the horizon. Though the project has been stalled due to the almost $21 million cost to bring the 100-year-old Hastings Opera House up to standard. The upgrades have put a major spanner in the works for the multi-million dollar Innovation Hub, a joint project between the iwi and Hastings District Council. However, iwi chairman Ngahiwi Tomoana is part of an independent working group set up to develop future options for the hub. There are plans to release a public consultation next year including what the financial contribution of the iwi will be to the project.

Amiria Moyler and Miriama Hammond from Te Wairoa with Marama Tuuta from Wairarapa, at the Ngati Kahungunu Iwi Inc. AGM.

Te Reo awards

Ngati Kahungunu hosted the 10th annual Nga Tohu Reo Maori: Maori Language Awards at Pettigrew Arena Taradale. About 500 guests came from all across the country to attend the event that celebrates excellence and innovation in te reo Maori. This year, the supreme award went to Mana Elizabeth Hunkin, 78, who was awarded the Taku Toa Takimano for her outstanding leadership and contribution to te reo Maori. Hunkin has been a long-standing advocate for the language in Ngati Kahungunu and has dedicated her life to the Te Ataarangi methodology that uses coloured rods as a learning tool.