A multisport festival which acts as a beacon of hope for Maori amid ailing health statistics has swelled in popularity again this year, an organiser says.
This weekend's IronMaori events in Napier are "packed to the brim", with hundreds more entrants than previous years.
IronMaori co-founder Heather Skipworth QSM said about 600 children and teenagers were registered for the Tamariki and Rangatahi events on Friday - 100 more than last year.
About 800 individuals were also signed up for Saturday's half IronMan event, which was an increase of 200.
People on the sidelines and even officials involved in last year's event had been inspired to take up the challenge themselves.