Surfing: Pāpāmoa surfer Levi Stewart looks to be No 1 seed to take Maori surfing title from Mount Maunganui's Kehu Butler

Pāpāmoa surfer Levi Stewart looks for top title in this weekend's Bayleys Real Estate Aotearoa Maori Surfing Titles in Taranaki. Photo / Cory / NZ Surfing Magazine

With Mount Maunganui's Kehu Butler in Australia preparing for international events, he's unable to be at this weekend's Bayleys Real Estate Aotearoa Maori Surfing Titles - which also means he's unable to defend his Open Men's title.

With the title up for grabs, New Zealand representative Levi Stewart, who lives in Pāpāmoa, goes into this weekend's Maori surfing nationals as the No 1 seed.

Stewart, who will represent his eastern Bay of Plenty iwi of Ngati Awa at this weekend's competition in Waitara, sits in second overall on the New Zealand Surf Series, having recently returned from representing New Zealand at the World Surfing Games in Japan last month, helping the team to ninth place overall.

He will be one of many Maori surfers - from Northland through to Canterbury and the West Coast as well as a strong base of Taranaki riders - who will look to wrestle back the Iwi Trophy from Western Bay of Plenty iwi Ngati Ranginui over the next two days.

Surfers started converging on Taranaki yesterday in preparation for competition today and tomorrow. Among the field are raglan's Chris Malone and Josef Jungwirth, Kaikoura's Alan Te Moananui and Taranaki's Dwaine Mataa, Conan James, Sonny Rapira, Martin and Eli MacDonald.

Stewart, who started surfing when he moved to Waihi Beach when he was about 10, says as the No 1 seed in his division, he'll be "pretty keen to take that trophy", held by Butler, who was won last year while representing Ngati Ranginui.

On top of the immense talent within New Zealand's top surfers, the Aotearoa Maori Titles offer up an opportunity for Maori surfers to take part in a relaxed event, meet other surfers from around our coastline and connect with the Maori community – an aspect of the event that is equal if not more important than the titles themselves.

Stewart says he always tries to attend the Maori nationals when he's not surfing internationally because it's a good casual competition where he can also catch up with friends.

"I always love getting down here," Stewart says.

However, although it's not an international competition, 23-year-old Stewart says his mind never strays from the task at hand no matter what the level of competition is.

"It's more casual but i still definitely keep competitive no matter what.

"I kind of get in the same headspace."

No matter what though, Stewart says he'll enjoy himself and is looking forward to the event.

Meanwhile, it is set to be a stunning weekend as a high pressure system pushes over New Zealand bringing unseasonably warm temperatures. A good pulse for swell is forecast to march up the West Coast from under New Zealand.

Surfing action was to start from 8am today subject to conditions. The 2017 Aotearoa Maori Titles
Open Men's Division - Kehu Butler (Ngai Te Rangi)
Open Women's Division - Zhana Hutchieson (Te Atiawa)
Under 18 Boys Division - Kehu Butler (Ngai Te Rangi)
Under 18 Girls Division – Brie Bennett (Tainui)
Under 16 Boys Division – Josef Jungwirth (Ngati Ranginui)
Under 14 Boys Division - Jayden Willoughby (Nga Puhi)
Over 35 Men's Division – Khan Butler (Ngai Te Rangi)
Over 45 Men's Division – Pipi Ngaia (Te Atiawa)
Longboard Division - Jamie Andrews (Te Atiawa)
Stand Up Paddleboard Division - Geoff Pardoe (Ngati Porou)
Amateur – Patrick Kilmister (Te Atiawa)