From speed scrabble and tangata tic tac toe, Te Arawa Games has it all

The rock lifting competition at Te Arawa Games. Photo / File

The Te Arawa Games will cover everything from speed scrabble and tangata tic tac toe, to bombing competitions, rock lifting, spear throws and waka battles.

Te Papa Takaro o Te Arawa and Ngati Kea Ngati Tuara will host the annual event, which runs from tomorrow to March 24.

Every year thousands of Te Arawa descendants take part in the games.

This year whanau, hapu and marae teams have been registering to compete in more than 18 different sport codes and activities.

The main competition day is Saturday, March 24 at Kearoa Marae.

Qualifiers for the Ancestral Games will also be held on this day, and selectors will choose athletes for the 2018 Pacific Ancestral Games in Tahiti.

The first events of the games are at Motion Entertainment Centre, Lynmore tonight. Wednesday, March 7
5:30pm Ten Pin Bowling at Motion Entertainment Centre, Lynmore
5:30pm Mini Golf at Motion Entertainment Centre, Lynmore

Wednesday, March 14
5:30pm Speed Chess at Tarewa Pounamu Marae, Kuirau
5:30pm Speed Scrabble at Tarewa Pounamu Marae, Kuirau

Friday, March 16
6pm: Tennis Rotorua Tennis Club, Hillcrest

Wednesday, March 21
5:30pm Ki O Rahi at Karenga Park, Koutu

Friday, March 23
5:30pm Netball at Rotorua Netball Courts, Westbrook

Saturday, March 24
8:45am Pohiri & Marae/ Iwi Banner Parade at Kearoa Marae, Horohoro
9:30am Volleyball at Kearoa Marae, Horohoro
9:30am Tangata Tic Tac Toe at Kearoa Marae, Horohoro
9:30am Tamariki Games at Horohoro School, Horohoro
10am Euchure at Kearoa Marae, Horohoro
10am Darts at Kearoa Marae, Horohoro
10am Table Tennis at Kearoa Marae, Horohoro
10am Waka Battle at Pokaitu River, Kearoa Marae, Horohoro
12pm Bombing Competition at Pokaitu River, Kearoa Marae, Horohoro

Ancestral Games
1pm Amora Ao'fai *(Rock Lifting) at Kearoa Marae, Horohoro
1pm Maihoa Ra'au *(Weighted Rock Run) Horohoro School to Kearoa Marae, Horohoro
1pm Kuru Tao *(Spear Throwing) at Kearoa Marae, Horohoro
2:30pm Kumea Taura *(Power Pulling) at Kearoa Marae, Horohoro
3pm Hakari Kai at Kearoa Marae, Horohoro
3:30pm Prizegiving