Charge of bareback brigade as iwi descend for fundraiser

Riders raise a cloud of dust as they thunder down Pawarenga's Shelley Beach at the start of the gruelling cross-country race. Photo / Michael Cunningham

An estimated 2000 people from around Australasia saw out 2016 with a day of sporting challenges that doubled as a giant family reunion and a marae fundraiser.

Pawarenga's United Marae Sports Day, held every December 31 on the shore of Whangape Harbour in North Hokianga, features woodchopping, Iron Man and Woman, tug 'o war, a volleyball tournament, kai and kids rides.

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Image 1 of 33: Riders thunder across the sand in the Pawarenga Cup. PHOTO / PETER DE GRAAF

The real drawcard, however, is horse racing on the beach, with many riders taking part bareback, and a gruelling cross-country horse race over hills, on metal roads and through swamps.

Organising committee member Maraea Herbert-Pickering said the money raised paid for insurance and maintenance for the valley's three marae: Morehu, Ohaki and Taiao.

It was a highlight of the North Hokianga's sporting and social calendar, and a chance for members of the hapu Te Uri o Tai to come together once a year from all over New Zealand and Australia. This year's crowd, about 2000, was up on last year, she said.

Fifteen young riders from Rob Pink's Hokianga Treks for Kids in Rawene won many of the horse events.

The sports day brings in about $50,000, of which $20,000 is left after expenses. Merchandise is the biggest earner, especially the sought-after Pawarenga T-shirts.

Many of the events are sponsored by local whanau in memory of departed family members.

This year's cross-country race was won by Sapphire O'Connell, 18, of Broadwood. Her older sister, Jayd, won two years ago; last year's winner, Josh Korewha, of Omanaia, was a close second. Iron Man was won by woodchopper Jesse Whitehead of Waiuku; Iron Woman was won by 11-year-old Jazmine Murray of Broadwood with her mum Catherine Semenoff-Murray second.