Taranaki Tū Mai: A celebration of Taranaki-Tanga

Representing - Our Tū Mai Volleyball team after a hard fought win.

For a consecutive year, Taranaki Tū Mai was held in late November in Waitara by Ngāti Tama.

The weekend was full with collectivism as each iwi gathered and geared up for challenge in the various different sporting codes and competitions.

Ngāti Ruanui had nearly 400-participants register to be part of this years event, which is expected to continue to grow.

It is a celebration of w’ānaungatanga, kota’itanga, w’akapapa and more importantly Taranakitanga.

“Taranaki Tū Mai is really an opportunity to return home and represent your iwi. It’s the chance for reconnection with w’anaunga, w’ānau and people you haven’t yet met. A chance for collectivism and reclamation of identity,” said iwi co-ordinator, Nicola Coogan.

Friday began with the pōw’iri at Pukearuhe Marae near Urenui. North Taranaki and South Taranaki iwi had seperate pōw’iri, with each setting the tone that came with competition.

The sporting codes began around midday with newly debuted events such as Kubb included in Tū Mai 2023.

Ki-O-Rahi proved popular among Ngāti Ruanui with three teams entered to compete. In Darts, Ruanui came away with the win on late Friday evening, securing our first win for the weekend.

Into Saturday, the competition continued with Marching kick-starting the day. Ngāti Ruanui came away with the win for the marching competition, with our marchers putting on a fantastic display.

Waka-Ama seen our team having to shave 6-seconds off their first heat to beat the quickest time. Dispite the gusterly tail winds to push them down the Waitara Awa, all the energy was consumed getting their waka upstream against the strong winds to the starting line.

The finals of Waka-Ama were abandonned due to the strong winds.

Field sports were all go on Saturday, with Rugby 7s, League 9s and Touch and Softball being the main events.

Our Leauge 9s boys only just missed out on making finals, losing by one point in the modified version of Rugby League.

Court sports were also a feature of day two. Volleyball proved to be a hit with our masters competitiors, placing second. Our competitive volleyball team also placed second in the competition.

Netball seen both womens and mixed teams compete, in exciting matches where amazing talent was on display. The final day was closed out by the Kapa ‘Aka competition where iwi took to the stage in both Ngā’au and Kapa ‘Aka divisions.

The room rung out with waiata, melody and harmony with Ngāti Ruanui having only just gathered for practice for the first time during the Tū Mai weekend.

Uri were treated to a ‘Angi on Sunday which was handed out by the office team.

“Most of our uri stayed together at the Vertical Horizon lodge, meaning we were together for the whole weekend,” said Coogan.

The tamariki were treated to a disco in the barnyard. Our kaumātua and Pakeke were entertained with housie in the dining hall, raising money for charity. Near three-thousand participants registered and competed among the eight iwi o Taranaki.

Full galleries are available by following the links in the Facebook page.