Te Arawa hapu battle for title (+pics&video)

About 1500 people went head to head in a range of sporting events and activities as they represented their hapu in the annual Te Arawa Games.

The event was spread out over three days and saw generations of whanau compete for the overall winner's title, announced at prize-giving yesterday.

Events including netball, touch, table tennis, waka ama, kuru tao (spear throw), amora'a o'fai (rock lift) and maiho'a ra'au (weighted run) were held at both Ngongotaha Primary School and Tarimano Marae.

The overall winners were those representing Kearoa Marae, from Ngati Kea Ngatituara. Ngati Kea Ngatituara runanga trustee and health and wellbeing co-ordinator Peri Marks said they were stoked with the win.

"We were very excited, it was a pleasant surprise at the end of a heavy three days in which all our members went hard out."

Mr Marks said the event for them was not so much about winning but getting people taking part in physical activities and supporting the whole of Te Arawa.

Image 1 of 23: Kaumatua Steven Clarke opens the games.

"Our oldest participant was Hariata Paikea who is 80, and our youngest was 4-years-old. As long as we were out there participating, whether it was in the traditional games, mainstream sports or cards, that's what really mattered."

This year was the first time Ngati Rangiwewehi hosted the games and trust board member Erin Thompson-Pou said they were pleased with how it had turned out.

"The weather may have scared off a few people but most showed up and had so much fun.

"When we had the waka ama competition you could hear nothing but laughter coming from the lake mouth, which was so great. "I feel quite proud to have our hapu hosting this year's games. It was good to be able to look after people - it's been awesome."

Virginia Kennedy from Ngararanui (Waiteti) was one of the women taking part in the traditional Tahitian rock-lifting competition, amora'a o'fai.

"I was actually referred on to it from my brother who thought I would be good at it. I went to have a look and thought, 'oh ok, I can try that', and signed up."

She said she did lifting at the gym so her skills were transferable.

"I just thought it was really cool to participate."

Te Arawa Games:
- Kearoa Marae overall winner for 2016.
- Event is in its 23rd year.
- Offering 13 activities across three days.
- Mix of mainstream and traditional sports.
- About 1500 people competing.