11 February 2016

Kotahitanga! Whanaungatanga! Waikatotanga!

Unity, kinship and being Waikato proud is the theme behind the upcoming Waikato-Tainui Games – the tribe’s largest sporting event.

Held every two years, the 2016 Waikato-Tainui Games is expected to attract an estimated 20,000 tribal members who are keen to represent one of 68 Waikato raupatu marae in a range of sporting events and activities.

Waikato-Tainui Chief Executive Parekawhia McLean says the Waikato-Tainui Games is by far one of the tribe’s most popular events. “It’s an opportunity for us to come together and celebrate who we are – Waikato iwi, Waikato marae, Waikato tangata.”

This year’s Games will also feature the launch of Tikanga Ora Reo Ora – Waikato-Tainui’s Te Reo Maaori strategy. “Strengthening our reo and tikanga to a high level of fluency is a key area of focus for the tribe,” says Ms Mclean.

“Our aim is to attain 80% fluency in Te Reo Maaori by 2050 which will be achieved through the delivery of varied initiatives, from interactive online learning tools to professional development programmes.”

Ms McLean says the Waikato-Tainui Games will continue to have a strong focus on the health and wellbeing of our people. “Throughout the event we will be offering a range of health services, including face-to-face health checks for our kaumaatua. The Games will also maintain its stance on being a smoke free, drug free, alcohol free and gang free event.”

The 2016 Waikato-Tainui Games runs over three weekends with its next event coming up on Sunday 14 February in Ngaruawahia. Activities, which will be held at Turangawaewae Marae and Paterson Park, include indoor bowls, Ki-o-Rahi, tennis, chess and waka ama.

The main Games event will follow on 20-21 February at the Hopuhopu Sports and Tribal Complex in Hopuhopu. Activities include power pulling, touch rugby, netball, basketball, table tennis, volleyball, inclusive games and a hiikoi (walk).

The Waikato-Tainui Games is a free, whaanau-orientated event which includes events and activities for tribal members of all ages and abilities. For more information, visit the Waikato-Tainui Games website at www.waikatotainui.com/opportunities/waikato-tainui-games-2016

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