Club thanks elders with day of song

Robert Gillies and Marg Maniapoto enjoy a celebration of Waikite kaumatua and kuia at the weekend.

Kaumatua and kuia connected to Rotorua's Waikite Rugby Club have been treated to a special cabaret to say thanks for all they have done over the years.

The cabaret was held at the Koutu-based club on Saturday where about 150 people were treated to a meal and entertainment from singers Howard Morrison Junior and Russell Harrison.

Waikite Junior Rugby co-ordinator Moana Miller said the club was going through a revitalisation process and, as part of that, the club's executive wanted to honour and celebrate elders who had been involved in the club over the years.

"We are mandated as a club of Ngati Whakaue and we wanted to honour all the people who have been in the club and celebrate them.

"We wanted to celebrate all the nanas and koros as golden members of the club."

She said those kaumatua and kuia had been influential to the club in the past by helping to produce fantastic sportspeople and many were still involved with tamariki (children) and mokopuna (grandchildren) now representing the club.

She said the cabaret was sponsored by the Morrison whanau, Pukeroa Oruawhata Holdings, Ngati Whakaue Assets Trust, Ngati Whakaue Tribal Lands, Te Tumu Paeroa Trust and Waikite Club.

She said the club was likely to make the cabaret a biennial event.