HUTT CITY COUNCIL NEWS RELEASE
8 March 2012

Hutt City will host the 2016 Aotearoa New Zealand Maori Bowls tournament.

The decision was made by the national Aotearoa Bowls Meeting in Whangarei at the end of this year’s tournament which attracted more than 500 bowlers.

Wainuiomata Bowling Club president, Rawiri Evans, said the Wainuiomata Bowls Club would be the headquarters for the event with games being played across Lower Hutt and Wellington.

“The Wainuiomata club was host to this event last year and it is a great honour to be awarded the national event again so soon,” he said.

“Maori bowls is growing rapidly right across the country and attracting younger players who are reenergising bowls within New Zealand.

Mayor of Lower Hutt, Ray Wallace, said the decision by the Aotearoa .Maori Bowls Association to stage a tournament in the area was a tribute to local bowling clubs and the high standard of the facilities available to stage a major national event.

“The Wainuiomata greens are among the top playing surfaces within New Zealand, “he said. “The decision by Aotearoa is a tribute to the commitment and energy of the club in maintaining a high quality facility.

Mayor Wallace said the tournament would provide a significant contribution to the economy of Lower Hutt and be a stimulus for bowls.

New Zealand representative players who are Aotearoa Maori competitors have included Rika Gregory from Frankton and Shannon McIlroy who plays in Stoke, Nelson and many others.

ENDS

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