One of New Zealand's longest running events takes place again in March and we mean longest in the fullest sense of the word.The Te Houtaewa Challenge is in its 23rd year but can trace its origins through the tradition of oral storytelling to way back when. For sheer athletic ability Te Houtaewa was legendary and not without a certain guile and considerable cheekiness. He wasn't above stealing kumara from other iwi and then out-running his pursuers over the sands of Te Oneroa a Tohe (90 Mile Beach) with two heavy kete under each arm, finally delivering the food back to his mother. She had no idea he'd been to Ahipara and back in the time it took to prepare the hangi.
The contemporary event that pays homage to his prowess - without raiding a kumara patch- attracts competitors from as far afield as Germany and France while some of the New Zealand favourites returning include Andrew Sains, Kiri Price and Charlotte Nasey. Add to the line-up the recently-elected Far North District councilor,Willow Jean Prime, and the internationalism and prestige of the event is immediately apparent.
There are five races under the Te Houtaewa Challenge banner - the 62km ultra marathon, the 5 x 12km relay, the 42km marathon, a 21km half marathon and a 6km walk-for-life.The only addition to this format in recent years is the bike race= designed to give the other disciplines a challenge, as if an ultra marathon isn't testing enough. And the Thundercats are back on the waves for another year. Event Director (and self-confessed tea lady, mechanic and distributor of tissues) Teresa Hart, says the event metaphorically gives back the kumara taken so long ago and draws a community together. "As well as the athletic events the entire community celebrates with food, entertainment and festival activities. It's a non-alcohol event with an advocacy of no violence and we are actively working with local iwi and council to pool all our resources to make it an inclusive day of celebration."
Maori Television is planning a documentary on the event and in late January an advance party of researchers came north to gather the required information on what's been described as the area's 'hidden treasures' including the Te Araroa festival. Pio Terei will front the programme which is expected to be shown later in the year and what's significant is that all iwi leaders signed their support for the documentary and the races on the beach.
"They will be part of the Te Houtaewa Village which is formed from our local community and the documentary will showcase areas of our health, kai, entertainment, tourism and arts for the world to see thus creating a positive focus on our home," says Teresa Hart.
