Thousands expected at Tainui sporting fixtures

Waikato-Tainui hosts its fifth biennial tribal games in January and February.

With the success and popularity of the event over the last decade, organisers are expecting around 20,000 tribal members to attend.

With the recent introduction of surfing, waka ama and the pre-European Maaori ball sport ki-o-rahi, the 'games' now fall over three weekends and are made possible through the voluntary assistance of around 200 tribal members, and financial support from a range of sponsors and community organisations.

The main games traditionally take place in February and that weekend is considered to be the biggest and by far most popular event hosted by the tribe.

Games committee chair and Te Arataura board member, Sonny Wilson says it will be a time for Waikato-Tainui to come together to celebrate unity, identity, tribal pride and participation. He says it is also a time to focus on the tribe's rangatahi and kaumaatua.

"Sports, music, whaanau, Maaori kai and fashion, tribal pride, health and wellness, Maaori entertainment, our connections with one another, our heritage and lots and lots of fun - these are all things that encourage our tamariki to aspire to their utmost heights, and provide our kaumaatua with a platform to support, share and participate with their mokopuna and extended whaanau," he says.

"While there is an element of competitiveness in that we award points and vie for trophies, particularly in sports like basketball, netball, power pulling, table tennis, volleyball and touch, we are finding many look forward to playing with their mokopuna in less physical activities - so inclusive games are a priority for this event with points for participation."

Mr Wilson says to better promote fair play, organisers have changed the points system to encourage teams to adhere to age category rules with an emphasis on "whakawhanaungatanga and kotahitanga!"

The stage will be managed by the tribe's station, Radio Tainui to promote daily shows, introduce hosts, and showcase local and national Maaori music and talents. In the main arena an expo of the Waikato-Tainui Whaanau Ora Koiora Collective will raise awareness of the tribe's service providers.

Mr Wilson encouraged tribal members to contact their marae and register!

To participate in the smoke free, drug free, alcohol free and gang free 2012 Waikato-Tainui Games, register via your Waikato-Tainui Marae.

Waikato-Tanui Games 2012 - unity, tribal pride and participation

January 21 - 22, Manu Bay, Raglan

February 5 , Tuurangawaewae Marae & Paterson Park, Ngaaruawaahia

February 17 - 19, Hopuhopu Sports and Tribal Complex

For a copy of the programme and more, go to: www.tainui.co.nz