New Zealand Masters Games volunteers 76-year-old Margy Chiet (left) and Margi Keys, 72, are excited about 10 days of sporting action in Whanganui. Photo / Eva de Jong
New Zealand Masters Games volunteers 76-year-old Margy Chiet (left) and Margi Keys, 72, are excited about 10 days of sporting action in Whanganui. Photo / Eva de Jong
A frenzy of sporting fever is hitting Whanganui with more than 4300 people competing in the 2025 New Zealand Masters Games on Saturday, February 1.
For 76-year-old Margy Chiet, this Masters Games is her first time volunteering, but she will also compete in the backstroke and freestyle indoor and open water swimming events.
It is especially impressive because due to osteoarthritis and repeated injuries, she has now undergone seven joint replacements: two shoulders, two hips and three knee replacements.
“I’m a little bit nervous because of my knee joint replacement 11 weeks ago, but I’ll just go slow,” Chiet said.
Whanganui residents Peter Cunningham and Anne Cunningham: "I’m probably running now as hard as I was running in my late 30s." Photo / Eva de Jong
“It’s good for your brain and your soul to keep active and, I think, if I keep swimming it inspires other people who might be suffering in some other way.”
She said regular exercise gave her incredible endorphins and meant she always had “a good start to the day”.
“It’s a lovely feeling swimming - I feel free,” she said.
“I just am grateful that I can keep doing it.”
Whanganui resident 72-year-old Peter Cunningham, who is competing in the 10km run and 14km trail run, said he was ready for “a burst of adrenaline”.
“I think it’s a good thing that people become aware of the fact that, although parts of your physiology do decrease as you get older, that’s a natural ageing process and you can still be competitive,” he said.
“In terms of comparing myself to the world records in my age category, I’m probably running now as hard as I was running in my late 30s when I was at my best.”
First-time competitor Brylee Lott, 26, has entered the triathlon and 10km walk and said she was “pretty nervous”.
“I haven’t competed in anything since school, so I thought I might as well give it a go.”
Brylee Lott, 26, is competing in the triathlon at her first New Zealand Masters Games in Whanganui. Photo / Eva de Jong
New Zealand Masters Games manager Heather Cox said on Friday registrations were sitting at 4333 people.
“It’s going to be great to see everyone having a good time after all the effort we’ve put in to put on this event for Whanganui and New Zealand,” Cox said.
New Zealand Masters Games manager Heather Cox says more than 4300 people are registered for the 10-day event in Whanganui. Photo / Eva de Jong
One unforeseen challenge the organisers had was having to build a new registration system at the last minute because of concerns about protecting participants' information.
The old system had been vulnerable to cyber-hacking, Cox said.
“We’re very grateful that we were able to fix it so that the games could continue,” she said.
Whanganui’s Stephanie Kaio, who is competing in pickleball and table tennis, said she was “psyched up” and fairly new to the sport of pickleball.
“It’s heaps of fun. I’ve played sport all my life,” she said.
Sixty-year-old Dale Cobb, who is competing in the sports accuracy challenge which includes speed pool, pétanque, darts and snooker, said the games were a great social event.
“It’s really good to see Whanganui get on the map with an event like this,” he said.
The opening ceremony takes place on Friday night at the Games Village in the Whanganui War Memorial Centre with live performances from Rip Tide and DJ Kit.
More information about the games and sports schedules is online at www.nzmg.com.
Eva de Jong is a reporter for the Whanganui Chronicle covering health stories and general news. She began as a reporter in 2023.
