Ipukarea Iwi sports tournament ushers in new event
Ngati Tama is preparing to host seven other local iwi in competitions later this week. Photo: Supplied.
The word is out, debating is in. Often described as an intellectual sport, debating will debut at the 10th annual Ipukarea Iwi sports tournament, which is being held in Nelson on 4-5 April.
Ngāti Tama ki Te Tauihu is hosting eight local iwi, from the top of the South Island, for what’s billed as a fierce competition and cultural celebration across 12 different events.
The debates and the age-old card game Euchre will take place at the Whakatū Marae, golfers will head to the Waahi Taakaro course in the Maitai Valley, and waka ama paddlers will be off to Tāhunanui Beach.
The other sports are basketball, netball, league 9s, touch, table tennis, tug of war, kaumatua games and kī-o-rahi, which combines netball, handball and tag rugby.
Those events will be held at Saxton Field and Stadium.
“Ipukarea reflects our deep connection to Te Tauihu, the top of the South Island,” declares Hemi Sundgren, Ngāti Tama ki Te Waipounamu Trust chief executive.
“It is more than just a weekend of sport, it is a unique opportunity for us as hosts, to create a space where our wider iwi whanau can come together, celebrate whakapapa, embody the spirit of kotahitanga(unity) and manaakitanga (hospitality).”
Joining and competing with Ngāti Tama are Ngāti Rārua, Te Ātiawa, Ngāti Koata, Ngāti Toa Rangitira, Ngāti Apa, Rangitāne and Ngāti Kuia.
More than 800 competitors and supporters are expected for the action-packed two-day event, which will begin with a pōwhiri at the Whakatū Marae on Friday before golf kicks off the competition.