More than 5,000 “Natis” celebrated their whanaungatanga at the annual Ngāti Porou Inter-Marae Sports Festival earlier this year. Twenty-six marae participated in a range of cultural, intellectual and sporting competitions for top marae honours.

Event co-ordinator Leeanne Morice was thrilled with the day and thanked all the participating marae for making the occasion a wonderful success. The festival was won by Tuatini marae of Tokomaru Bay with Te Aowera second and Whareponga third.

Te Puni Kōkiri supported the festival and Minister of Māori Affairs Parekura Horomia was on hand again to judge the karaoke and run the tug-o-war.