Mother-daughter showdown at Manu qualifier in Māngere

Fa’atupuinati Berking is making a big splash on the Z Manu competition as she qualified for the finals in March. Photo / Ant Farac

• The Z Manu World Champs Qualifier in Māngere attracted sell-out registrations and hundreds of spectators.
• Fa’atupuinati Berking won the Adult Female Manu title, defeating her mother, Honani Berking.
• Hayden Etuata claimed the Adult Male title; both will compete in the Grand Final in Auckland.

The weather couldn’t have been better for the Z Manu World Champs Qualifier at Moana-Nui-a-Kiwa Pool in Māngere on Saturday, as the popular event attracted sell-out registrations and hundreds of spectators.

The competition was fierce, with Manu athletes vying for the coveted spot to represent Māngere, considered the home of Manu, at the Grand Final in Auckland on March 1.

But it was a mother-daughter showdown that stole the show. Fa’atupuinati Berking, 19, the defending overall Adult Female Champion from 2024’s Manu World Champs, cut an unassuming figure poolside as she observed the competition’s earlier heats including Kids, Youth and Freestyle divisions.

Fa’atupuinati Berking (left) competed against her mum Honani at the Z Manu qualifiers in Mangere on Saturday. Photo / Ant Farac

But, when the time came for the Adult Female division, it was clear there was a champion in the midst. After knocking out other strong competitors, to the delight of the crowd, the battle for the title of Adult Female Manu Champ for Māngere came down to a showdown between Fa’atupuinati and her own mother, Honani (Nunz) Berking, a former lifeguard, who taught Fa’atupuinati the art of the Manu as a child while working at several South Auckland pools – including Māngere.

Competition between mother-daughter was tight – however, Fa’atupuinati, with her signature form and confidence, ultimately emerged victorious, clinching the Adult Female Manu title – and the opportunity to represent her community at the national Grand Final.

No one was more delighted than her mum saying: “I’m just pleased she loves it, I’ve been happy to pass on my knowledge – it makes me feel really proud and all of those hours at the pool are paying off!”

In the Adult Male division, the title was claimed by Hayden Etuata from Manurewa, a self-taught Manu enthusiast who admitted to being “really bad” when he first started but has honed his skills, gradually improving with each jump over the last 10 years.

Fa’atupuinati and Etuata will represent Māngere at the Z Manu World Champs Grand Final at Auckland’s Viaduct Harbour on March 1.

The next qualifier for the Z Manu World Champs is in Whangārei, with Wellington, Christchurch, Hamilton and Auckland still to come.