TE RARAWA FEST 06 – Celebrating Te Rarawa together

Media release – Early October

A brand new 3-bedroom house has been put up as a major prize by a Far North tribe during week-long festival celebrations planned for the end of October and early November in and around Kaitaia.

Organiser, Te Runanga O Te Rarawa (tribal authority) say it has been extremely lucky to be able to utilise its Housing Division to build a house, at cost, as part of Te Rarawa Fest ’06.

The festival is a celebration of the tribal authority’s 20th year of existence – but the occasion is also a way of encouraging the iwi’s members back to the north to reconnect with their extended families.

Runanga Executive Officer, Kevin Robinson, says it’s well-known that housing standards in the Far North have been an issue for Maori for decades – so a prize of a brand new home is very appropriate.

“We’re thrilled to be able to offer one of our whanau (tribal members) the chance to win this home – and we hope it goes to a family that really needs it!”

The house is being raffled – with just 1,000 tickets being sold at $100 each. It is being built now, but while the raffle will be drawn during the festival, the house won’t be finished for a few weeks afterward.

Kevin Robinson says, “The aim is to have the house ready in plenty of time for Christmas for the lucky winner or winners.”

Meanwhile as Te Rarawa Fest ’06 draws closer, many marae of Te Rarawa are gearing their teams up to do battle in as many sporting codes that they can fit in one day.

Sports Events Coordinator for the event, Tony Cook, says that there is something for everyone, young and old.

“You show me a person from Te Rarawa, and I’ll show you a sports event they can compete in,” he says.

“The Festival might be a week long, but there is so much going on that we have just one day to cram as much competitive sports in as we can!”

On offer are inter-Marae Touch, Rippa Rugby, Netball and Golf.
Some Marae are even said to be training secretly - so that they can dazzle the competition with their special tactics and moves on the day!

The Sports Carnival is on Saturday November 4th from 9am-3pm, and Tony Cook can be contacted on 09 4080141 or tony@terarawa.co.nz.

The Festival itself” starts on Tuesday 31st October and runs until Sunday, 5th November – with the key aim of celebrating tribal progress over the past two decades, Te Rarawa Fest ’06 has a slogan of “Celebrating Te Rarawa Together”.

Te Rarawa whanau from around the country - and overseas – are expected to make the trip home for the festival.

For more information visit the website www.terarawa.co.nz.

ENDS

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