default-output-block.skip-main
Regional | Kaumātua

Kaumātua Olympics

Hundreds of kaumātua from the Central North Island came together this week to participate in an event they say keeps them young.

Every two years, the Kaumātua Olympics are held, and while competition is high on the agenda, in the end, having a laugh and building friendships are of the utmost importance.

To take part in this competition, you must be Mäori and well over the age of 50.

There's no denying that at their age, they've still got it. 10 groups of kaumätua from Mataatua and Te Arawa came together in Kawerau this week to test their skills at sports such as 'The Ring of Fire' and 'Needle Hockey'.

It's a biennial event where rules are bent, and the aim is to have fun.

Not bad for the Te Urewera lot of Ruatahuna, they went home with first prize, Ngāti Awa with second and this year's hosts from Tūwharetoa took third spot.