The deaths of four prominent Maori leaders were in the minds of the hundreds of competitors as they were welcomed during an emotional official opening ceremony to the 2016 Maori Touch Nationals Tournament.
A minute's silence for the recent deaths of local kaumatua Napi Waaka, Fred Whata, Mita Mohi and Awanui Black was called for by Rotorua Lakes Council cultural ambassador and councillor Trevor Maxwell as part of a special pohiri whakatau at Puarenga Park on Saturday.
"It was important for us to share in a minute's silence to acknowledge the many that have passed away in our region recently," Mr Maxwell said.
The popular annual tournament, held in Rotorua for the third time in a row at the weekend, pitted takiwa, marae, iwi, hapu and waka teams from around New Zealand and Australia against one another.
Hosted by Rotorua Touch Association and Te Arawa Touch , more than 60 teams and 1000 players competed across nine grades - with Te Arawa teams entered in seven.