Battle on to find supreme iwi – there can be only one!

Media release

16 October 2013

Battle on to find supreme iwi – there can be only one!

The countdown is on in the lead-up to one of Auckland’s largest Māori sporting events – the Iwi of Origin – which will be held this Saturday 19 October at Unitec’s Mt Albert campus.

Competitors representing iwi from across the country will battle it out in touch, ki-o-rahi, netball (at the Te Pai netball courts in Henderson), golf (at Chamberlain Golf course), trivial pursuit, squash and the Amazing Māori Race; in hopes of winning the coveted iwi trophies and bragging rights for 2013.

Registrations are still open says Wiremu Mato, from organiser He Oranga Poutama – but he’s encouraging teams to register as soon as possible so they don’t miss out. “Squash is almost full, but there are still places left in all the sports so we’re still hoping for more iwi to come along and represent – we’re also ready to take teams on the day.”

Mato says the inter-whanau, inter-iwi rivalry brings out the best in the competitors, and supporters, and is as much about iwi pride as it is about enjoying a day together with whānau and friends.

He reassures parents they won’t have to worry about keeping the kids occupied on the day. “There’s a big games area set up by the amazing crew from In2It street games, plus young and old can compete for their iwi in the Amazing Māori Race and in junior levels for netball, ki-o-rahi and touch.”

To register go to www.heorangapoutama.co.nz or visit the Iwi of Origin facebook page or call Wiremu Mato on 027 240 5276.

Full programme of events is outlined below.

Ends

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