Change of the guard like no other

BRAGGING RIGHTS: Cobb Howell (Sydney/Kohukohu) leaving nothing in reserve as his Motukohu tug'o war team battles the Herberts on Tour.

No one celebrates the end of one year and the beginning of another more enthusiastically than the people of Pawarenga.

One of the Far North's remoter communities did it again on the last day of 2014, as it does every December 31, with much of the day once again given over to sporting challenges and whanau reunions that were enjoyed, watched and contested by more than 3000 people, many times the official population of 465 (over a seven-kilometre radius).

As usual the Pawarenga United Marae Sports Day included woodchopping, beach horse races, a volleyball tournament, tug 'o war and gruelling Iron Man and Woman races in which contestants ran cross-country, carried large rocks along the beach and waded through deep mud. A children's version drew more than 100 entrants.

Perhaps the most anticipated event each year is the cross-country horse race, won in an unusually tight contest this time by 18-year-old Chad Scrivener from Herekino.

Pawarenga United Marae chairman Tau Adams said the turnout was down on previous years because New Year's Eve fell in the middle of the week, but it was still highly successful. The day served as a fundraiser to meet insurance and other costs of maintaining Pawarenga's three marae (Morehu, Ohaki and Taiao), taking the financial strain off the settlement's small resident population and giving supporters a fun day out for their money.

It was also a reunion of past and present residents, whanau scattered across New Zealand and Australia, and members of the hapu Te Uri o Tai.

"It's the one time we all get together, apart from a tangi. People look forward to it all year," Mr Adams said.

Once all expenses had been paid there was usually enough money left to give $5000 to each marae, thanks in large part to sponsorship from local families and Kaitaia businesses, and a huge effort by volunteers.

Custom-printed T-shirts and jackets were once again the day's single biggest money-spinner, organiser Kim Campbell saying the shirts were sought after by whanau around the world, with a new design every each year. This time 1200 had been produced, the few that remained at the end of the day being destined for online sales.

Pawarenga identity Frank Herbert said conditions this time had been perfect, neither too hot nor too cold, despite an ominous weather forecast.

"It brings us all together, our neighbouring communities and whanau across New Zealand and Australia as well. It's heartening to see the support we get," he said, adding that the sports day had been running continuously for at least 35 years.