Whānau tradition: Three generations pick up the volunteer baton for Masters Games

Manny Whanarere's whānau are honouring his memory by volunteering at the Masters Games. Te Terenga Whanarere is at the centre with daughter Mere at right. Photo / Arahi Hagger

Dedicated volunteers are the good oil that makes the Downer New Zealand Masters Games run like clockwork in Whanganui and one of the best was lost last year.

Long-server Manny Piko Whanarere died in February 2020 after volunteering and competing at the games for many years but in 2021 his whānau have well and truly stepped into the void left by his absence.

There are 18 of his family members on the roster this year and they span three generations.

The Whanarere whānau of Te Ātihaunui a Pāpārangi iwi hail from Kaiwhaiki Marae, 18km up river from Whanganui, and they regularly travel back and forth to town for work and sports.

Manny's daughter, Mere Whanarere, manages Inspire Gym in Wilson St and she is fitting her volunteer shifts around work and family commitments.

"We wanted to do this for dad even though we are all busy," she said.

"Some of us work as teachers so we fit our volunteer time in around school and work hours. Every day we post up messages to make sure we know who is covering which shifts.

"My mum - Te Terenga Whanarere - is volunteering as well."

The Whanarere whanau are a formidable volunteer force at the Downer New Zealand Masters Games this year. Photo / Arahi Hagger

Listening to the live bands while tending bar at the Games Hub during the evenings has been a fun part of volunteering, Mere said.

"There has been such a good vibe at the War Memorial Centre and it is a nice way to remember Dad because he would have loved it.

"He was a muso as well and he played lead guitar and sang in bands so he would be loving the vibe as well."

Manny was also a keen competitor at the Masters Games, winning medals for golf and his daughter thinks he also competed as a rugby player.

"He was always really fit and he was shearing until he was 66," Mere said.

"We really couldn't think of a better way to honour his memory and we're really enjoying it too.

"Meeting all the competitors, supporters and the other volunteers is lots of fun."

Masters Games marketing and event co-ordinator Louise Follett said it is wonderful to have the family on board this year.

"It is just brilliant that they are doing this in his memory to support the Games," she said.

"They are all busy people but they have organised a roster so they can be there to represent the whānau."

It is not often that all 18 whānau members are on deck at once but they did manage to gather for photos together this week.