Matariki celebration on the sports field

Whanau from around the region will ring in Puanga/Matariki on the sports field tomorrow when Ki o Rahi Ki Whanganui hosts the Marae Challenge.

Games will be held at Wanganui City College and will be a seven-a-side format, with around 10 players on each team.

Justin Gush, of Awa Sport, said they hoped to have around 12 teams take part, each representing their marae.

While the traditional game is a contact sport, with several Wanganui men's teams having been to the nationals, Gush said tomorrow will be the "Rippa Rugby version" to allow all ages and abilities to play.

"Just our families coming up to celebrate the Maori New Year in a fun way.

"Each team needs to have someone who is 14 years or under, someone who's middle aged, and someone who's 50 plus."

Ki o Rahi Ki Whanganui has run about 3-4 tournaments, including supporting Wanganui City College who hosted the national secondary school championships in April. Those championships were a success, with 15 teams taking part from the North Island plus 300-400 people watching.

The local group have also run modules for people to learn the sport on Sundays.

Raukotahi, the brand of the Whanganui River Maori Trust Board, is backing tomorrow's tournament. It starts at 11am with workshops and learning seminars, with games being played from 1-5pm.