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Regional | Kapa haka

Ngāti Hine hapū vie for Peeni Wynyard Memorial Shield

He was a leader held in high esteem for his great empathy for his people. This weekend there was yet another challenge for the Peeni Wynyard Memorial Shield amongst the marae in the Ngāti Hine province, this time it was between the marae of Matawaia and Motatau.

It may be a competition but the key focus of this event is the kinship between the respective marae and hapū of Ngāti Hine.

Huru Tipene (Nāgti Te Tarawa) says, “It’s always been my dream to one day to compete and perform at this event and I recall watching my dad and other elders of his generation including Sir James Henare. And today I believe we've achieved the aspirations set by our elders.”

It's a day of competition in the culture and on the sports field and also provides a great opportunity for marae fundraising.

Arona Tipene, (Ngāti Te Tarawa) says, “It doesn't get bigger than this and it’s all about maintaining the ties amongst all our marae in the province of Ngāti Hine. We have relatives who have returned home of Australia and Hamilton and the South Island to be here for this occasion so it’s just fabulous.”

Over four hundred people gathered for the seventh challenge of the Peeni Wynyard Shield since the revival of the competition in recent years. Today Matawaia marae took the honours for kapahaka while Motatau marae won the netball and rugby to maintain their hold on the shield.

Padre Brown (Tekau I Mua) says, “He was man with a passion not only for the people of Ngāti Hine but all Maori and that was his priority and hence this gathering of the people of Ngāti Hine and it’s a happy joyful day.”

Irrespective of who took the honours Ngāti Hine can claim the victory.