The popular Pa Wars – Tuwharetoa Marae Sports Challenge – is back for its 13th year in Turangi on 6 & 7 January.

Last year over 6,000 participants from 24 marae took part with more than 7000 spectators urging them on. 

Visitors and locals are all invited to cheer the teams as they complete their challenges. 

Sports include rugby, touch rugby, mixed netball, volleyball, basketball, table tennis, petangue, but also includes chess, and euchre – a popular card game. 

New in 2017 is Kapa haka with each team performing three compulsories and one of their own choosing.

This annual event is held by Ngati Tuwharetoa – the local tribe whose area extends from Maketu down through  Kawerau, down to Taumaranui, Taupo, Turangi to Fielding. 

The aim of the games is “whakawhanaungatanga” – which is to establish relationships with each other by bringing the people of all abilities back as one through sport – a bit like a local Maori Olympic Games?

In addition to the games, food and community stalls will be operating along with  entertainment.

Tongariro River anglers can relax – they don’t have a fishing contest – yet…

http://www.maoritelevision.com/news/regional/force-has-awakened-tuwharetoa-pa-wars