Rotorua Golden Oldies netballer playing without her sister for the first time

Paere Hunuhunu with members of the Maketu Golden Oldies team. Photo / Kevin@cmgsport.

Rotorua's Paere Hunuhunu should be excited about attending the Golden Oldies sports celebration in Christchurch this week, but this year it's bittersweet.

It's the first time in 20 years she's attending a Golden Oldies festival without her older sister Ngaroma, who is recovering after surgery to remove a brain tumour.

"She's a hero - she's my hero," Paere said.

"She's doing great, but not great enough." Doctors have told Ngaroma she could not fly so soon after the operation.

The Maketu Golden Oldies team didn't want to go without Ngaroma, but Paere said her sister insisted.

"She didn't want us not to go, so we're going," Paere said.

The sisters joined the team at the same time, 20 years ago.

"We both got into netball at school and i went on to play and umpire club netball in Rotorua, then as soon as I was old enough to join the Maketu Golden Oldies, I was there."

The team, which Paere manages, have played at Golden Oldies festivals in Australia, Fiji, Rarotonga and San Diego.

"I love the friendships we form along the way and these sports festivals are a really great opportunity for us all to get together and have a good time," Paere said.

"It's going to be very hard playing without Ngaroma this year, but we're going to get up and do this for her."

The Christchurch Casino Golden Oldies Sports celebration runs until April 29, and includes rugby, netball, cricket, bowls, golf and hockey games.