Iwi Floods Park For Gathering

Tuesday, 27 November 2012, 4:00 pm
Press Release: Ngati Kahungunu Iwi Inc

Media Release – 27 November 2012

Iwi Floods Park For Gathering

On Saturday Ngāti Kahungunu, an east coast iwi held their AGM sports day for the seventh year at a Hastings water theme park Splash Planet and the location proved a winner.

Hundreds waited in line to grab prime sites in the park and when the gates opened at 10am over 5,000 people flooded into the venue. “It’s one of our biggest days yet”, said Splash Planet assistant manager, Cath Marshall. “It took over an hour to process the crowds at the gate and we had a constant stream of visitors coming in all day”, said Cath. “Although we were very busy, our staff coped well and the visitors to the park were awesome, courteous and friendly.”

“Our AGM is the one time of the year for our members to meet face to face with our board and stay informed of their decisions and workings”, said iwi chairman Ngahiwi Tomoana.

“The room was packed, there was robust discussion as well as laughter.It was a great AGM.”, said Ngahiwi.

“It was wonderful to see our people come from Wellington, Hamilton and Auckland. There were four buses from Dannevirke, three from Wairarapa, two from Central Hawke’s Bay and two buses from Wairoa ”

The sports grounds around Splash Planet were awash with 1532 players in 130 teams competing in netball, 3 on 3 basketball, touch, volleyball, Ki Orahi traditional games and kiddies kiwi sports. “It was wonderful to see whanau playing together and having fun”, said Ruth Wong team organiser and communications manager for the iwi. “Our sports day is about togetherness and vibrant, healthy whanau.”

What They Said

“Congratulations for a fantastic whanau day. This is the most enjoyable tournament I have run as everyone were in a positive mood.” Sean Thompson. Ki O Rahi organiser
“Well done for an excellant day. We brough four busloads from Dannevirke and our whanau had a great time” Hayden Hape, Chairman Tamaki nui a Rua Taiwhenua

“ An awesome day. The touch fields were packed. Everyone enjoyed themselves” Anaru Bartlett, touch organiser.

The results from the sports competitons are;
• Tug of War: Runners up Matahiwi Marae and Winners Tamaki Nui a Rua
• Ki O Rahi: Runners up Waipatu Marae – Team Waipatu Warriors and Winners Te Awhina Marae – Team Potaka
• Touch: Social Grade Runners up – Kahuranaki Marae and Winners Te Aranga Marae
• Touch: Competitive Grade Runners up – Te Aranga Marae and Winners Waipatu Marae
• Euchre: Runners: Tamaki Nui A Rua Marae Winners: Kahuranaki Marae
• Volleyball: Social Grade Runners up Tawhaki Ruawharo and Winners Mareikura Clan
• Volleyball: NK Premier Champs Runners up Houngarea Marae Team Maku and Winners Korongata Team Somjeh
• Netball: Social winners Te Oreore Marae - Pouakai Rawhiti Rua
• Netball: Competitive winners Bridge Pa - Team Gascoigne
• Kiddies Sports: All participants were winners.
• 3 on 3 Basketball: Runners up – Bridge Pa Fast and Furious and Winners Manutai Marae - Coast to Coast

Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi is the third largest iwi with a population of 60,000 members according to the 2006 Census.
The iwi has the second longest coastline in Aotearoa and stretches from Mahia, Hawke’s Bay to Wairarapa

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