Over a third of the athletes set to represent New Zealand at the Youth Olympics are Māori.
23 Māori athletes will compete out of a total of 61, including wrestlers Westerly Ainsley, of Ngāi Te Rangi, and Arapo Kellner, of Ngā Puhi.
Kellner says he’s looking forward to competing against the international range of competitors at the games.
“I started wrestling when I was four years old, growing up in the US my older brother and all my friends were all wrestlers so that's how I got into it. I love the physicality and intensity that comes with the sport, it's the ultimate challenge."
Beach volleyball players Tamara Otene (Ngāti Tūwharetoa) and Maya Dickson (Ngāi Tahu) are also part of the team following their win at the Oceania U19 Beach Volleyball Championships in Canberra held earlier this year.
Maya says, "I love that beach volleyball is a game of both physical and mental strength. In order to win, you and your partner have to demonstrate both of these attributes to a very high level."
For BMX cyclist Jessie Smith, the Youth Olympics in Argentina next month will just be the latest destination, having already competed in places such as the USA, Australia, Colombia and Azerbaijan.
"I've been riding for 13 years. In that time I've gotten eight national championship titles and five world titles. BMX is pretty much my life at the moment," says the 17-year-old of Ngāti Kahungunu and Ngāpuhi.
The competition starts next month in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Full list of Māori athletes heading to the Youth Olympics
Athletics Kayla Goodwin Ngā Puhi
Basketball Joe Ahie Ngā Ruahine, Ngati Ruanui, Taranaki
Basketball Max de Geest Ngāti Porou
B Volleyball Tamara Otene Ngāti Tūwharetoa
B Volleyball Maya Dickson Ngāi Tahu
Boxing Te Mania Shelford Ngā Puhi
Cycling Jessie Smith Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Whātua
Judo Rihari Iki Ngāi Tūhoe, Ngā Puhi
Karate Raukawa Jefferies Ngāti Raukawa
Rugby Tynealle Fitzgerald Te Whakatōhea
Rugby Iritana Hohaia Ngāti Ruanui
Rugby Azalleyah Maaka Ngāti Porou
Rugby Risaleaana Pouri-Lane Ngāti Apa,Rangitāne
Rugby Montessa Tairakena Tainui
Rugby Kalyn Takitimu-Cook Ngāti Porou
Rugby Arorangi Tauranga Ngāti Rora, Ngāti Huiao
Rugby Hinemoa Watene Ngā Puhi, Rongowhakaata
Sailing Pia Gordon Ngāi Tūhoe, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Ruapani.
Swimming Erika Fairweather Ngāi Tahu
Weightlifting Kanah Andrews-Nahu Ngāti Porou, Ngāpuihi
Wrestling Westerly Ainsley Ngāi Te Rangi
Wrestling Arapo Kellner Ngā Puhi