More than 2000 ready for Te Arawa Games

Ki - o - rahi

More than 2000 people are expected to take part in the Te Arawa Games.

The two-day event, organised by Te Papa Takaro o Te Arawa, officially opens today with a pohiri at Karenga Park in Koutu.

Co-ordinator Hana Tapiata said they had been preparing since last year for the action-packed event with activities including touch football, maunga run up Mount Ngongotaha, basketball, waka ama, ki o rahi, power pulling, Te Arawa Fit, tennis and rama koura (crayfish, eel catching).

This year's games were set to be held in Matata but a change of venue brought it back to Rotorua. Last year it was held at Maketu where Tumahaurangi Marae were named the winners.

Miss Tapiata said a value-based scoring system introduced last year would again be part of the competition which focused on how teams played and interacted rather than just who won.

"It's an interesting dynamic who people identify with but there is a mixture of teams representing their iwi, hapu, marae and whanau," Miss Tapiata said.

"It is inter-generational, most of the grades must have one or two whanau members playing who are below the age of 12 and one and two over the age of 40."

Miss Tapiata said the main aim of the games was to bring people together to celebrate being Te Arawa and as a sports trust, promote health and wellness.

"For a lot of them too, they play contemporary sports with schools and clubs so this is an opportunity to bond with their own family and community while also trying new sports. We are wanting to provide a space for them to engage with their whanau."

A core group of up to 15 volunteers will be helping out over the two days.

"I'm just looking forward to seeing marae, iwi and hapu taking part and having fun," Miss Tapiata said.