Sigrid Christiansen

Cortez ‘Tez’ Ratima is back in New Zealand after his first United States trip, where he started in last Saturday’s All Blacks 47-5 win over Fiji in San Diego.

Ratima, who scored a try on his full debut, went off five minutes before half time and failed a head injury assessment.

“He just landed hard,” his “excited and very proud” mum, Deiresa Marshall from Piopio, said.

The injury had a particularly American cause: the San Diego stadium’s hard surface, of the kind favoured for American football or gridiron – where players wear helmets.

Deiresa said despite the early end to his involvement, he still enjoyed his adventure, catching up with his sister Lyhric, looking around town and snapping a few photos.

“This was his first trip to America, although he went to the UK last year with the All Black 15s.

“He said it was unreal the way they treat you: like you’re a celebrity. It took a bit of getting used to.”

She said when Cortez gets back to Piopio, he loves nothing more than playing golf with his cousins, hunting and fishing.

“Those are his ways to wind down. He’s humble, he’s not someone who wants a fuss.”

He was back in the country on Monday and on Tuesday, was in Auckland doing promotional work.

The Piopio star was not the only King Country player that night in San Diego – something his Ōtorohanga rugby club celebrated.

Ōtorohanga born and educated Haereiti Hetet represented Fiji.

The All Blacks’ next assignment is on August 10 against Argentina in Wellington.

Test won, back to promotions

Norris Woodbine

King Country Club Rugby finals were well and truly great advertisements for the brand on Saturday with a brilliantly fine Taupo day and a dry pitch contributing to the event.

The early game between Taupo Sports and the Taumarunui Eels went pretty much to script with King Country representative players dominating proceedings and Taupo first five Cam Rollison and Rams skipper Liam Rowlands both prominent.

The 50–17 scoreline was a testament to the Lakesider’s dominance throughout but great credit must go to The Eels for riding out the removal of some Fijian players and making great strides forward over the season.

The ground filled up noticeably with spectators as the main game countdown began and great support for Taupo Marist and Taumarunui Districts was rewarded with a stunning match-up between the two top qualifiers.

After a settling in period, it was Marist who opened the scoring after nine minutes when hard working flanker Josh Reinfield scored a try which was converted by Josh White, 7–0.

Shortly after it was Districts who set the match alight with one of the best team tries to grace Owen Delany Park. It began when livewire fullback Styris Harland fielded a bomb on his goal line before bursting away from flailing cover defenders.

He was finally lowered about halfway and the Districts pack tore into the ruck and with slick passing through the backs right wing Palu side stepped the last defender before racing across in the corner. Hiwawa Kahu put the icing on the cake with a great side line conversion, 7–7.

Marist fought back and scored after a melee in the score board corner before Levison Gower replied for Districts and Kahu nailed another sideline conversion before slotting a 45 metre penalty right on halftime to put the visitors ahead 17–12.

The early part of the second spell belonged to the Districts pack as they took control with Joe Curiki a colossus at prop and they were soon rewarded with a try when the Marist pack were pushed off the ball and Siva scored 22–12.

From the 17th to 22nd minutes Districts blew the game apart as Beban and Harland scored tries and Nathaniel Smith took over the kicking duties to seal a 34–12 scoreline with 15 to go.

Marist then showed real heart in a fight back and the Rams centre Baravalala gave the defence a sign of his class sprinting 70 metres down the embankment touchline to score before Harlan dotted down for a second try to put the issue beyond doubt 39–17.

Marist prop Tom Ryan finished the scoreline off with a highly deserved touch down late in the game but the Meads Shield was on the way to Taumarunui 39–22.

Harland, Gower, Kahu, Smith and big prop Curiki who chugged through 72 minutes and dominated scrum time were all outstanding for the victors but the whole team and coach Matt Lord deserve all the kudos thrown their way as one wise spectator explained “they looked like a real team”.

Districts deserved decisive win

Andy McGechan

A team including two former Motocross of Nations team riders won the annual Battle Of The Clubs motocross in Taupō last Saturday.

The Motocross of Nations (MXoN) is the pinnacle of the sport globally, pitting nation against nation in an annual showdown to determine the best motocross country in the world.

Taupō’s spin on that is to run a similar team-versus-team event as a fundraiser to send a contingent to the MXoN each year.

The domestic version featured teams aligned along club allegiances or loyalties.

The winning six-rider junior/senior team was the one representing the North King Country Motorcycle Club and comprised former New Zealand MXoN team riders Maximus Purvis and James Scott, sharing duties with experienced veteran racer Joel Hansen and talented juniors Nixon and Maz Parkes, riding alongside young rising star Harry Daly.

The mini motocross contingent representing the North King Country – with riders Otis Hendrick, Knox Gibson, Kase Legg, Deklan Burton, Reed Legg and Case Wilson waving the flag – was the best-performed team in the separate mini competition, run on the small track adjacent to the main senior/junior arena.

King Country riders win

Supplied

Squash New Zealand has given its volunteer of the month award to Nick and Cheryl Clark of the Ōtorohanga Squash Club.

The couple, who have lived in the town since 2000, introduced new players through club nights and over the four months before their award they helped lift membership of the club, which had been in decline, to 53.

They also provided ‘get started' beginner training for 23 adults and youth. Their efforts have increased numbers of players involved in formal tournaments or interclub as well as social activities at the club.

Nick ran social nights every Monday and Cheryl implemented a junior programme.

They also successfully applied for local community grants to assist with equipment funding.

A recent Her Move programme with Ōtorohanga College also introduced a group of 16 girls to squash. They used three of the club’s junior members to demonstrate the game

Squash award for Clarkes

Te Kūiti and Ōtorohanga will cheer on a crew at the waka ama world sprint championships next month.

Teenagers Kōtuku Waho from Ōtorohanga and Mia Wehi from Te Kūiti will be in waka at the championships at Hilo, Hawaii, which run from August 13 to 24.

They will be part of the Waikato Dragon Boat and Waka Ama Association crews competing.

Manager Ashly Neho and coach Matt Tauroa say the club will send two women’s age group crews and a men’s masters crew. Paddler Sienna Herbert will also compete in a one-person waka.

The association’s crews will be among 200 from New Zealand.

Kōtuku, 15, started waka ama in 2023. She is a student at Te Wharekura o Ngā Taiatea in Hamilton, and was inspired by Erina Wehi.

Her mum’s niece and aunty to Kōtuku – also a waka ama coach – she ran a campaign leading up to the waka ama championships at Lake Karāpiro in January 2024.

“She invited everyone to come and try waka ama. Mum (Marama Henare-Waho) heard about it, and suggested I go. I enjoyed it and wanted to keep going.

“I like how she uses maramataka (the lunar calendar) in our training.”

She credits Wehi with her passion for the sport.

The King Country and Waikato competitors will train six days a week leading up to Hawaii, Tauroa said.

Some practices will be on the ocean at Raglan paddling on buoyant, rolling water, he said.

Manager Ashly Neho said it would help the girls get a feel for the ocean conditions in Hawaii. The team will reach the islands a few days early to acclimatise.

The club qualified for the 2020 world championships in London, but because of Covid, did not send any crews. Henare-Waho said a fundraising campaign was underway for the paddlers.

Families have gone all out with fundraising for the two King Country girls – on Sunday, they sold out the Regent Theatre Te Awamutu for its screening of Ka Whawhai Tonu, which tells the story of a pivotal battle in the first New Zealand land wars in the Waikato region.

King Country pair off to worlds

Beaten by 50 points – but looking good for this season’s Heartland Championship.
That was the verdict of King Country rugby union development officer Dan Tasker after last week’s unsuccessful challenge for the Ranfurly Shield.
Hosts Hawke’s Bay won the shield clash 57-7.
“We all knew it was going to be a tough Ranfurly Shield challenge, as it always is, that’s why it’s so hard to win against an NPC team full of acadamy and semi-professional players,” Tasker said.
“On the other hand the lads from King Country are all working jobs and don’t get to focus on rugby every day.
“But all-in-all the effort shown by our boys was massive and it bodes well for the team as they prepare for the Heartland Championship, starting mid-August.
Tasker was part of the small King Country entourage that travelled to Hastings to support the team.
He said the scoreline did not do justice to how well they played.
The Rams were under-strength due to a number of team members being left out for personal reasons.
They had played very well considering it was only their second hit-out of the season, and still coming together as a team, he said.
“As much rain had fallen over the previous two days it was very wet under foot, which didn’t help matters.
Hawke’s Bay led 26-0 at half time and added two more tries before King Country was rewarded for its efforts – Kaleb Foote dotted down in the 51st minute and Patrick Hedley added the extra points.
The shield holders play Whanganui in Napier next, at the end of the month.

That was the verdict of King Country rugby union development officer Dan Tasker after last week’s unsuccessful challenge for the Ranfurly Shield.

Hosts Hawke’s Bay won the shield clash 57-7.

“We all knew it was going to be a tough Ranfurly Shield challenge, as it always is, that’s why it’s so hard to win against an NPC team full of acadamy and semi-professional players,” Tasker said.

“On the other hand the lads from King Country are all working jobs and don’t get to focus on rugby every day.

“But all-in-all the effort shown by our boys was massive and it bodes well for the team as they prepare for the Heartland Championship, starting mid-August.

Tasker was part of the small King Country entourage that travelled to Hastings to support the team.

He said the scoreline did not do justice to how well they played.

The Rams were under-strength due to a number of team members being left out for personal reasons.

They had played very well considering it was only their second hit-out of the season, and still coming together as a team, he said.

“As much rain had fallen over the previous two days it was very wet under foot, which didn’t help matters.

Hawke’s Bay led 26-0 at half time and added two more tries before King Country was rewarded for its efforts – Kaleb Foote dotted down in the 51st minute and Patrick Hedley added the extra points.

The shield holders play Whanganui in Napier next, at the end of the month.

Magpies too strong

Piopio dressage rider Kathryn Corry has won the Prestige Futures series for young horses.

To be eligible, riders must compete on horses from four to 10 years of age – and this year was the last Corry’s mount Ganache MH could compete.

The competition was judged over a season of events and Corry will take home a prize of a saddle which is being hand-made in Italy.

Corry chose for her prize a jumping saddle rather than one designed for dressage. While she is known as a dressage competitor, she still values riding over jumps, especially for the mental challenge it offers her equine companions.

“It gives the horses something different to do with their minds, especially in the off-season.”

Riders in the series can win on points an unlimited number of times, but they can be awarded the saddle only once.

Dressage win for Corry

Ōtorohanga and Chiefs rugby star Cortez Ratima is now an All Black and the news has his family and friends thrilled, but not surprised.

As a “motocross crazy” boy, rugby was his second sport. He learned ball skills before school age, according to his dad, rugby coach Peter Lee Ratima.

“He would have excelled at motocross. But we chatted about it when he was 13, and I suggested he pick one of the two.

“You can’t be good at everything, but you can be a master of one thing.”

Cortez chose rugby. So they kicked off an ambitious long term plan: to become an All Black. On Monday night he was named in Scott Robertson’s first All Black squad.

They had “a pretty good idea” it would work - and 2024 was the year expected.

“Ninety per cent of the new All Blacks halfbacks were picked at age 22, 23” Ratima said. Cortez turned 23 on March 22.

Why is he a special player? He’s “precise” and he’s got all the attributes.

“He’s physical – not shy to get in and put a big hit in on a forward.”

But his speed sets him apart.

“He’s got gas.”

He built his running skills in his teens with athletics coach Barrie Jennings, his dad said.

The halfback, “Tez” to his family, grew up in Piopio; Peter Lee Ratima has spent much of his career farming in the Waitanguru and Mairoa districts.

After spending time in Taranaki and Australia, Cortez played for Hamilton Boys High - he needed the “challenge and exposure” of a bigger school. Cortez’ rugby hero was fellow Waikato and Chiefs halfback Tawera Kerr-Barlow.

Throughout his playing career, Cortez was supported by excellent coaches, including Waikato and All Blacks staffer Andrew Strawbridge.

After finishing school, he intended to play for Marist. But when Ratima got a job coaching for Ōtorohanga, that changed.
“Tez phoned and said, can I play for you Dad?”
Cortez, who excelled in this year’s Super Rugby Pacific season, follows in the footsteps of the club’s past All Blacks: distant relation Phil Coffin and Neville Thornton, who played from 1947-49.
The latter is a technicality – Thornton had played for Ōtorohanga while working there briefly as a schoolteacher, becoming an All Black later with Ponsonby. Really, Coffin was Ōtorohanga’s first All Black.
Many pundits’ crystals balls foresaw Ratima becoming an All Black for the last year… for them also, it was a case of when not if.
Ōtorohanga club president Merv Carr said it was “the talk of the town.”
“It was a privilege to have him play for us – we’re so proud.”
Cortez “lifted up the rest of the guys in the squad. He’d start practicing his passing, and it would be infectious, the others would join in.
“When you push yourself, you push others along without having to say a thing.”
In a sense, he was “the next cab off the rank” to become an All Black.
Talismanic All Black Aaron Smith is now in Japan. Next in line Cam Roigard is sidelined with a knee injury.
Cortez’ strong Super Rugby Pacific form saw him earn selection.
He is the King Country’s second recent All Black, with Taranaki player Josh Lord before him, although the big lock forward is sidelined by an ankle injury suffered with the Chiefs.
What’s next? Cortez is now at camp with the likes of fellow halfback TJ Perenara.
“One hundred percent he’ll be learning a lot there,” Ratima said.
Cortez has also become a dad in the last year – to Kyvie, now nine months old, with partner Pip.

Pride of Piopio

After a couple of upset quarter final results last weekend the semifinal action in King Country premiership club rugby will feature one club which finished outside of the top four.

Top seeds Taupo Marist and Taumarunui Districts won their way through but Tongariro United upset early competition favourites Taupo Sports and fifth placed Piopio put paid to early front runners Taumarunui Eels with an impressive victory.

Norris Woodbine gives his assessment of the how he thinks Saturday’s semifinals play out:

Taupo Marist v Piopio:

Marist have completed an impressive rise through the club ranks to feature in their first premiership semi for some years but may be a little under done after winning by default over Bush last weekend. On the other hand, Piopio can be rated the form team and come into this game following three impressive victories.

In terms of big match experience Piopio can be regarded as battle hardened veterans and Marist will need to be on top their game to turn them back.

Taumarunui Districts v Tongariro United:

Districts were incredibly impressive last week turning the experienced Waitete away and should be warm favourites against Tongariro United on their home ground. They have a big front five complimented by exceptional loose forwards and half back Hiwawa Kahu has set the backs alight. The United boys will need to lift if they want to continue to the final.

The first division semifinals are:

Taupo Sports v Waitete

The wheels have fallen off the glamour Taupo side over the last two weeks and they find themselves in the lower grade for the first time in living memory courtesy of upset losses. Waitete on the other hand have battled all season and while both sides will be in unfamiliar territory this has all the hallmarks of a classic encounter between two heavy weights.

Taumarunui Eels v Bush United:

The Eels have let a great start to the season slip but would be expecting a home ground victory over Bush who have struggled after a historic victory over Waitete took a huge toll on the squad. Hopefully the boys from Benneydale can lift and make a victorious trip.

My selections are Piopio the upset, Districts for a home final, Waitete and the Eels - although it would be great to see a Waitete-Bush final in Te Kūiti next week

After the upset: now the semis

A record 400 children from 14 King Country schools were at Āria school’s orienteering last Friday for a delightfully muddy 2024 event.

“It was probably our biggest ever,” principal Pam Voyce said.

The youngsters especially enjoyed the part of the course that followed the route of the annual Āria trail ride. Its steep hills were perfect for adventure.

“The kids loved the motocross course – they slid down it like a mudslide.”

Not one but two minibuses and many cars got stuck, so Āria farmer Peter Foss spent the day dragging vehicles out with his tractor.

“We ended up asking if he wanted to be paid - but I think he quite enjoyed it,” Voyce joked.

Woeful weather contributed to the attendance becoming a perfect storm.

Voyce said in past years some children were off school for Fieldays, but this year many parents didn’t head north – so the children went to orienteering instead.

Most relished the mucky conditions.

Rangitoto school teacher Paige Coleman said it had been a fantastic day.

The rural kura sent about 14 kids to the event. It meant around an hour’s journey, but it was worth it.

“It was so good for them – especially the team building aspect. One of our highlights was watching the kids from all the different schools helping each other, and pointing out which way to go.”

“We love going out to orienteering at Āria, it’s always so well organised,” Coleman said.

Compass points to Āria

Paul Charman

The Rams and their supporters are said to be champing at the bit ahead of King Country’s Ranfurly Shield game against Hawkes Bay next Wednesday (June 26).

King Country has made 19 challenges for the Ranfurly Shield over the years without success but having come close at times, going down to Taranaki in a hard-fought game 15-11 in 1958.

Interim King Country Rugby Union general manager Josh Standen said the big game at Mitre 10 Stadium, Hastings, was the kind of event players and supporters were determined to make the most of.

“We’re stoked, because opportunities like this don’t come along often.

“The Rams play in the Heartland Competition while the Magpies played in the NPC. So for us the Shield is something floating around out there in NPC land. The excitement of actually challenging for it is probably going to reach fever pitch in coming days.”

Standen said the players wanted to be well prepared. They had been training hard and playing well, including the good win against Thames Valley last month.

“That has put them in a good space. We’re still in the middle of club rugby at the moment and heading into a final. They’ll be rugby hardened with four days left to recover ahead of the challenge. But there won’t be much motivation needed to get up for it.”

Meanwhile, general excitement is also building among supporters, who are still riding the wave of their team’s victory over Thames Valley.

King Country Supporters Club president Ryan Gulbransen said a bus was to leave for Hastings from Taupō i-site at 10 am on Wednesday.

“And a lot of additional vehicles are travelling over. We’ve heard from lots of people who are taking car or van-loads of supporters, carrying four-to-10 people.

“We will be hosted to a pre match lunch by Saracens Rugby Hawke’s Bay, which is only six-minutes-drive from the grounds.

“It’s sort of going back to the old school days of inter-island tours and events. The shield is a big game and I always love the fact that we get a chance to throw our weight against the top guns of New Zealand rugby.

“It’s hard logistically. King Country is a massive rugby union covering a huge area.

“We haven’t head from Taumarunui supporters but to be fair it’s hard for people there working on the land to take a day off work.

“We have managed to get a mini-van to bring Te Kūiti supporters over to join the bus in Taupō.”

But couldn’t it all end up in a big defeat?

“Well it might not. Anything can happen in Shield rugby. If we look back to what happened a couple of years ago Thames Valley really pushed then holders Otago… Thames Valley were leading at half time.

Anything can happen.”

Shield has fans fizzing

Staff Reporter

Ōpārau bike racing wiz James Scott is following famous King Country athletes by using farmwork as a buildup to international competition.

Previous examples have included the legendary Meads brothers, Colin and Stan, and more recently, international axe champion and farmer Jack Jordan, who is a Kirikau farmer. But Scott is in the big league too.

The current national 250cc motocross champion is a dominant force in this country’s enduro and cross-country racing and he also regularly competes at the top levels overseas. At 21, Scott is a seasoned member of the Altherm JCR Yamaha Race team, plying his trade at events around the world.

Over the next few months he’ll contest the premier cross-country motorcycle series GNCC in the United States; several enduro GP and motocross GP events in Europe and the Australian National Motocross Series in Queensland. More importantly, he will be marrying fiancé Anika Bailey, a schoolteacher formerly of Te Awamutu, on January 11.

To remain race fit, Scott works with a personal trainer twice-a-week at the Velodrome Gym in Cambridge, which demands driving an hour each way to and from his parents’ farm.

But that’s only part of the story: The core of his training comes from the likes of pig hunting in the bush, mustering, fencing and other farm work.

He credits a combination of farm life plus early years as a boarder at Hamilton Boys High School, with providing life skills to help cope with all the pressures of international motorsport.

Scott’s mentor, Yamaha management team member, Josh Coppins, agrees.

“James spends a lot of time working on his own in the hills, which no doubt keeps him grounded,” Coppins says.

“Working on the land you get a lot of time to think about things and plan your goals. It also provides a very good work ethic. And working on your own working like that you’re disciplined and accountable. Applying those principles to your sport will make you successful.

“A significant group of Kiwi sportspeople have had the discipline of working on the land while they achieved international success, and if you asked me to break the benefits of that down to one word it would be ‘values’.

“They gain respect and understanding this way. They are prepared to make sacrifices, take responsibilities seriously and understand consequences.” Coppins, a former top international motocross athlete, says it is primarily values that he looks for when choosing an up-and-coming rider to mentor.

“Values come before speed, technique and even natural ability. You can have all that but you need character to face adversity. We have to face adversity both in our life and our sports. And it’s values will get you through during the hard times.”

How did Scott’s career start?

“It began with me and my cousins ripping up his dad’s paddocks and getting told off for it when we were very young.

“I probably didn’t start racing competively till about age 11 or 12. I just stuck with it, as you have to, and the outcome is that I’ve just won my first senior motocross title.

How does he find the international travel?

“It’s okay, but I definitely like it when I get to come back home and its nice and quiet. No outside noise and all you can hear are the birds and sometimes bulls and dogs - and its good.”

How does the money side of it work?

“I get looked after very well by Yamaha, who covered most of the costs of my last trip overseas. I was very lucky there but there’s still a lot of costs I need to cover myself. I’m lucky my parents are prepared to help me out but it’s very expensive, particularly this year as there’s so much I want to do overseas.

“So I’m hoping to increase support from sponsors but it’s pretty hard to get money out of anyone at present because of the economy.”

Farm life keeps Scott grounded

Contributed

Host club president Geoff McManus skipped his team to success in last week’s Te Kuiti Bowling Club mid-winter event.

Ten teams - from Lepperton in the south, Putaruru in the east, Raglan in the west and Hamilton in the north competed in the triples event.

McManus, supported by Steve Woods and Caroline Johnson was the only skip to record four wins.

Next in line was a Kihikihi team skipped by Owen Johnson with Lyn Comins and Clark Ambury. They had three wins and a draw. Third was another Te Kūiti team skipped by Michelle Tapara and including Ramon Nahna and Kylie Norman.

President's team wins

James Scott won the 2024 Yamaha New Zealand Enduro Championships’ third round, held two weeks ago.
This boosted his series lead and clinched his selection for Team New Zealand at October’s International Six Days Enduro (ISDE) in Spain.
PWR Yamaha’s Wil Yeoman also made the team and will join Scott for the gruelling Spanish event. It will be the two Yamaha riders second time contesting the ISDE, after they both rode for the Junior team in 2022.
Scott is having a stellar year, having secured the MX2 title with the Altherm JCR Yamaha motocross team in March, and he will join forces with his main enduro title rival Brad Groombridge, over in Spain.
Their top-tier ISDE squad will be bolstered by Kiwi internationals Hamish Macdonald and Liam Draper.
Scott moved up from his second place after the first two South Island enduro rounds, following wins in both the sprint event and traditional timecard enduro race, held earlier this month.
He also leads the E3, 301cc-to-open four-stroke class.

It's a stellar year for James Scott

King Country Rugby Union general manager Kurt McQuilkin is stepping down after just under four years in the role.

McQuilkin, who lives in Taupo and works one-day a week in Te Kūiti, will step down on July 5.

“I just want to finish my time out professionally and on good terms, while wishing everyone well. I’m in very early discussions that may eventuate in a year or so that involves rugby, possibly overseas,” he said.

He met his wife Barbara while playing and coaching in Ireland and they have two daughters - Ella, 23, who graduated from Victoria University and is working in a Taupō accountancy firm and Lily, 20, who is a cabin crew member with Air New Zealand.

There is a high turnover rate for rugby chiefs – McQuilkin noted 13 chief executives have resigned while he has been in his present job.

On the calls for New Zealand Rugby Union to reform its governance structure he says it’s good that its being debated.

“I agree with the provincial unions take on this. There should be at least three people on the NZR board who have a feel for the game at provincial level and have served on a provincial board at some stage during their time.  Along with much needed representation from our Māori and Pasifika communities, we also need people with that bit of grass roots knowledge, who have moved through the systems, in order to create effective governance.”

On the state of the game in King Country he says since Covid, numbers are picking up again, especially at school level.

“Numbers are on a good trajectory and we have a good KCRU board in place who will hopefully drive that along. Our flagship side, the Rams, had a relatively good season last year and we hope to build on that. We have three locals currently coaching the team, which is good to see. They are born and bred in the King Country and all three played for the King Country Rams. There’s a good opportunity to forge ahead in the Heartland Championship this year.” He says the Rams need to take another step and finish in the top half of the Heartland Championship this season.
On the state of the game he thinks replicating some of the marketing ploys used by the likes of the NRL would attract more people to the game.
“New Zealand rugby may have dropped the ball in this regard and rested a wee bit on its laurels…
“Look at the Ireland team’s last tour here. The Irish absolutely respect the history and what the All Blacks stand for, but they don’t fear them as in the past and they demonstrated that by winning their first ever test series in New Zealand. A lot of international sides took notice of those feats and when they get to face a team in black they now fancy their chances, which is great for the global game”


He says the NZR must not take the Heartland provinces for granted as they are the breeding ground for future Super Rugby players, NPC players and All Blacks.  
“With all of the angst that has been created over the recent NZRU governance issues and which have unfortunately been played out in the public arena, the NZRU shouldn’t marginalise the Heartland provinces as they aren’t asking for anything special, they just want to be valued and treated fairly amongst the NZ provincial rugby community.”

Rugby boss to move on

By Paul Charman

The King Country Rugby Union would almost certainly back making official the names King Country, and its Māori equivalent Te Rohe Pōtae.

That’s the message from KCRU general manager Kurt McQuilkin who predicted support from members of the union, with roots going back well over 100 years, for any submission to the Geographic Board aiming to add the names to maps. 

“Would we support moves to have King Country used on maps and road signs. Without a doubt. It has been a bit of a conundrum how geographically we always seem to get added into the Waikato,” McQuilkin said.

“The only time that we are actually identified for who we really are is in rugby terms. You see plenty of those rugby union maps that have everyone’s province listed, but that’s probably the only thing that puts our correct name on a map.

“We’d love to see our identity put out there in that way kind of a positive way.”

McQuilkin said for him it grated when, while watching TV, the presenter named a King Country town such as Te Kūiti as being in the Waikato.

“And my first comment to that is always no, it’s in the King Country. I guess it’s the way you are brought up. If you’re raised in the region you’re always proud to say you come from the King Country.

“And for me the Māori name for the region  Te Rohe Pōtae is equally valid when describing our identity.

“I think that anything that promotes us in this way and gets us on that geographical map would be really positive.

“For me there’s no reason why this can’t be expressed in both Māori and English. I think we should probably encourage our area being known as both Te Rohe Pōtae and King Country.

“These names are enjoyed by so many people who live here; doesn’t matter who you are, it makes you feel special because there’s so much history attached. I’m sure the Union would be right behind (making the names official) when it comes to maps and road signs.”

What do you think? Should King Country/Te Rohe Pōtae be placed on maps and road signs in this era? Keep your opinions coming to editor@goodlocal.nz – and put the words King Country in the subject line.

Union says the hat fits…

 To the delight of their supporters the Rams overwhelmed Thames Valley 43-18 at FMG Stadium Waikato last Friday.

Following the convincing victory King Country fans seemed to have an extra spring in their steps all weekend, noted rugby writer Norris Woodbine.

The Rams and their opponents were supplying the curtain raiser to the main Chiefs v Hurricanes game which the Hurricanes won 20-17

“On the face of it our 43-18 victory is huge and optimism can be high that the Rams are on the right track for a huge and successful season in 2024,” Woodbine added

“By the main game the stadium was a sell out and I am sure there would have been a large percentage of that crowd present for our game to help with the early atmosphere.”

The win set the comments on King Country Rugby’s Facebook Page alight, some examples of the 60 posts being:

Merryn Broderson: Great win guys, well done!

Gary Buttimore: A most convincing win, excellent preparation for the Heartland series after the club season. Well done the Rams.

Wayne Lather: Fantastic game. Was great seeing the boys out on the big stage. Congratulations.

Above all, the performance was a welcome addition to the buildup toward King Country’s Ranfurly Shield Challenge against Hawkes Bay on June 26, King Country RU’s general manager Kurt McQuilkin pointed out.

“It was a terrific victory considering they only had two training runs leading up to the match.

“Then going out on Friday night and producing such a comprehensive victory against one of the Heartland Championship’s top sides; that’s an excellent result to start to the campaign, and an ideal buildup to the match against Hawkes Bay in late June.”

Rams soar at Hamilton stadium

Andy Campbell

Te Awamutu darts player Mark Cleaver has won a spot competing with the biggest names in darts.
Cleaver, known as the maestro (because of his guitar playing) confirmed his place in the Hamilton event at the DartPlayers New Zealand ProTour double-header this month.
Cleaver’s support crew from Te Awamutu Darts Association will be in full support, at the darts and in costume.
Most will dress as maestros.
Cleaver, Kayden Milne and Ben Robb finished in the top three of the rankings and will play in the New Zealand Darts Masters on August 16 and 17.
The event attracts the biggest names in darts and should include 17-year-old English wonderkid Luke Littler and new world champion Luke Humphries.
Former New Zealand Darts Masters champion Gerwyn Price and fellow former world champions Michael Smith and Peter Wright have also been included, while UK Open champion Dimitri Van den Bergh makes his latest appearance Down Under.
Other New Zealand representatives confirmed are Haupai Puha and Simon Whitlock. Three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen and World Matchplay champion Nathan Aspinall will miss the event for family reasons.
The night at the darts promises to be an over-the-top blend of high-level sport, wild fancy dress costumes, big 180 calls, and larger-than-life personalities.
Cleaver started playing darts when he was aged 10 and was originally considering golf before darts took his interest. There’s no age limit in darts, he said.
“One player is 82 and he can still throw a good dart,” the 56 year old said.
He has and does play internationally. He enjoys the camaraderie, the competition with players at a level, but adds that how a player handles the stress is a big factor in outcomes. His family is grown, so it’s one less stress factor when he is away most weekends. Pro darts is a big commitment.
“People don’t see the work hours at home on the board,” he said.

Game on for Maestro Mark

Former Te Kūiti man Karl Thurston, 34, reached the quarter finals of a race at the BMX World Championships in the United States at the weekend.
Thurston, who now lives in Tauranga, was attending the event with a large contingent of Kiwi BMX riders, including fellow Te Kūiti member Lee Chapman.
The racing in Rock Hill, South Carolina ran all last week, finishing on Saturday.
Though recovering from a gastric bug, Thurston competed in both cruiser and 20-inch wheel events. He surprised himself by reaching the quarter finals in a cruiser class, which has bikes with larger wheels. It is a category he doesn’t usually race in.
“When I completed my racing for the cruiser class I was 24th in the world standings, but unfortunately a crash happened in front of me in the 1/8” finals hindering my race and that was me done for the day,” he said.
“That’s racing though, you have to accept these moments as it’s so fast and you only get a split second to make a decision that can make or break your day and it’s a thrill.
“In my 20-inch class I finished up world 29th. We got to finish our three moto races and I was feeling really good, I was excited to get out there for my 1/8” final, but the weather gods sent a lightning storm and over the USA and they take them really seriously here. The finals were cancelled, and we all had to accept that we could not go out there and battle for a better finish. BMX is a do or die sport and it teaches you to be resilient in these moments.
Thurston, a diesel mechanic, attended the world championships with his wife Amy and their two children, Issy, 6, and Mia,3.
Though an avid racer in younger years he only returned to serious training about two years ago.
He well remembers his start in BMX, which involved taking up the sport as a young child at Te Kūiti.
“I love Te Kūiti, the King Country and everything Te Kūiti and BMX ever gave me. It was about locals helping locals, having a laugh but (seriously) racing to see who’s faster or who can do the bigger jumps.
“I have nothing but good memories of Te Kūiti’s old and new tracks. I don’t know where I’d be without Te Kūiti BMX it’s been, the people involved are the heart of it all.
“I was never the fastest kid I just loved to ride my bike and hang out with my mates and hoped one day I would beat them.”

Rider shines at BMX worlds

A hard-won but decisive victory in the Year 8 boys race by hard working Pukenui student Stuncee Rapana was a highlight of this year’s King Country interschools cross country.
The event, held at Rangitoto School on Friday, saw 200 primary and intermediate age children from nine schools battle it out for running honours.
Host school principal Pip Were said she got lots of positive feedback about how the event was run.
“People appreciated that the races started on time.”
Stuncee and Piopio College student Mac Carter were closely matched throughout the Year 8 boys race.
“The two boys were battling the whole way – it was an extremely close finish and they both had incredible determination. They were neck and neck in the last long straight.”
Stuncee lives in Te Kūiti and comes from a sporty family – role model dad Jagger plays rugby and basketball, while sister Alairah plays netball, ki-o-rahi, rugby and touch, to name a few. He plays basketball in the under 14s although he’s only 12.
On top of the regular 15 minute around the block school practices, Stuncee went for longer runs, more like half an hour, “most afternoons” after school, off his own bat.
Kate Carter, mum of Piopio college opponent Mac Carter, said the winner had a run “a perfect race” and had passed at the finish line with what seemed like “8’11” legs.”
Pukenui principal Raewyn Jackson said the school was “pretty proud” of Stuncee and felt the race would give him a well-deserved sense of confidence.
“It’s something exciting and new for him, a good chance to shine. It’s taught him some useful skills and he’s learned about himself. In the past he hasn’t always felt that he’s someone who is good at things.”
Pukenui sent about 26 students to the cross country, she said with the credit for the turnout going to teacher Dorothy Carr who did lots behind the scenes.
“We’re lucky to have a teacher who is so passionate about sports, and really gets the kids going,” Raewyn said.

Sporty Stuncee leads the way

Ōtorohanga arborist Noel Galloway has been crowned the fastest tree climber in the country after smashing the record at the rural games in Palmerston North.
On the same tree used for national competition, Galloway bettered the previous best time on the elm by eight second.
Tree climbing is an arborist sport and all the competitors are arborists.
Competitors start near the top of the 15 metre elm tree and must complete a number of arboreal tasks about the tree and finish by jumping onto a bullseye on the ground.
Galloway’s time was one minute 38 seconds. Four-time winner Scott Morris’ best time was 1m53s, Barton Allan-Hall – the current back to back world champions – produced a best of 1m 57s and current New Zealand champion Sam Smith’s best time last year was 1.46
The Ōtorohanga arborist knows the tree well - he’s been competing on it since the competition was moved to Palmerston North from Queenstown in 2017 – when his bet time was 2m 35s.
“With the rural games the last couple of years they have run region v region and male/female… there used to be a trans-Tasman clash, but I don’t know if they have the funds to bring Aussies over anymore,” he said.
“That’s the thing with small sports, there’s not much funding.”
While all competition climbers are current arborists, not all arborists are tree climbers.
“Not everyone likes to enjoy it outside of work I suppose. I enjoy climbing trees, looking after them.”
He was advised to enter tree climbing competitions while on an arboriculture course at Wintec.
“It helps you to keep up to date on equipment that’s coming through, and often there’s international people coming to those comps,” he said. “…so you get to see a different style of climbing as well.”
Arborists, like rock climbers, use harnesses, ropes, carabiners, pulleys, climbing irons ascenders/descenders, rigging gear and cambium straps.
“Most of the devices we can go up and down on, where rock climbing is only one way or the other,” Noel said.
And style?
“A lot of people don’t realise where they can do big swings and descends, and how they can get out into certain areas of a tree unless someone else has done it before you.
"Otherwise you are governed by your training, and the people that are the best in your company.”
In competition, tree climbers use no spikes, it’s all balance, Noel said.
“At rural games it’s a work climb tree, so you have a hand saw station, pole saw station, limb toss station,” he said.
“You start at the top of the tree, descend and do all the different things on the way down.
“You have a bucket in the tree with a couple of sticks in it that have to be thrown at a target on the ground.
“The last one is the plumb bob station where on a long low branch it shows how the climber keeps all his weight on the anchor point of the rope, because the more weight you put on that branch the lower the plumb bob goes. And you lose points along the way. The less movement, the higher your points are.”
There are also points to be earned at the landing station at the bottom of the tree on the ground which is like a bullseye.
“There are more points if you land two feet in the bulls eye, as opposed to outside the bullseye.”
Galloway won a $1000 Husqvarna voucher and a trophy for the rural games speed climb.
The competition at the rural games was picked from the highest ranked climbers in the regions - Auckland, Waikato, Wellington and the South Island. The Waikato region is similar to the Chiefs territory extending to Taranaki.
Galloway is heading to Malaysia at the end of April to compete in the Pacific tree climbing championships, and from there he hopes to secure entry into the worlds, which will be held in this year in the US.
He been an arborist since 2011 and has worked with WEL Networks, Spectrum Tree Works in Waipā, and for a private estate in Karāpiro. He also worked for Wilson Trees at Pirongia and spent a couple of years as a contract climber.

Noel scales the heights

With the Easter break coinciding with the early part of the Roar hunting season, there will likely be big numbers of hunters taking to the bush this long weekend.

Recreational firearms’ user groups have been co-ordinating their messaging this year to ensure safety remains top of mind to the thousands of hunters who might take to the hills and bush chasing roaring stags or croaking bucks this autumn.

Te Tari Pūreke – Firearms Safety Authority, which chairs the Recreational Firearms Users Group, says New Zealand hunters in general have a good culture around firearms safety, but it takes only one mistake to ruin many people’s lives and the deer roar has a spike in these types of incidents.

“Recreational hunting is a big part of many New Zealanders lives,” said Te Tari Pūreke director of partnerships Mike McIlraith.

“We just want everyone involved to have a great time away and to head home safe at the end to their loved ones.”    

Mike said keeping themselves and others in their hunting area safe took more than luck.

“We’ve boiled it down to three key reminders for hunters this year – make a plan for your hunt and stick to it; always treat every firearm as loaded; and identify your target beyond all doubt.”

He added hunters were lucky to be hunting in a time of high deer numbers in many

places with lots of opportunities for deer.

Hunters don’t need to be in a rush to shoot the first deer they see; they should take their time, and wait until they see the whole animal.

“All of this helps to keep the hunter calm and make 100 percent sure they have identified their target.

“If they have any doubts, then don’t shoot,” he says.

“Hunters shouldn’t feel pressured to take the shot – no meat or no trophy is better than no mate.

“We want all hunters to have a great roar trip and come home safely.”

Don't rely on luck to stay safe this roar

THIS week 30 rugby players from Robert Bateman Secondary School, Vancouver, made Ōtorohanga the first stop of a month-long tour of New Zealand and Australia.

The visitors, whose school has made several previous visits to Ōtorohanga, will spend two weeks in each country. They arrived on Saturday and played Ōtorohanga at the Island Reserve on Tuesday night.

The visitors beat the home side 32-26, despite Ōtorohanga scoring two impressive late tries in an attempted comeback. However, it was generally agreed that Bateman Secondary deserved their win.

The visitors left for Papamoa College yesterday morning and after that they were to return to Hamilton for another secondary school game, before flying to Australia. Their first game across the ditch was to be against a school side in Manly.  

“Due to Covid, we had a few hoops to jump through last time when it came to accommodation,” said Ōtorohanga’s teacher in charge of rugby Leighton Parsons.

“This made it a bit hard to arrange billets for everyone this time, so consequently we billeted the staff, while the boys stayed at the Palm Court Motel.”

It is the third time Leighton has been involved with hosting the Canadians, whose school aims to arrange a rugby tour of the Antipodes about every five years.

“Yes, it’s been great – they just keep coming back and we always have a good, hard and close game of rugby. They beat us last time by a try.

“The game at Island Reserve on Wednesday night was the last of the season for the Canadians, but the first of the season for us.

“We’re just coming out of summer, while they’ve just finished their season back home.”

Leighton said this kind of goodwill tour was always a fantastic experience for students at both schools.

Speaking to the visitors, he’d been told they were excited and looking forward to every detail of the tour.

“Several boys told me that it was among the best experience of their lives. And for our boys, getting to meet rugby players their own age from another country is awesome as well.”

Highlights included Monday night, when the 30 visitors divided up to form four netball teams to contest a mini tournament against mixed teams from Ōtorohanga. This was followed by a mix and mingle. There was an official welcome, with a pōwhiri at the college on Tuesday morning.

Canadian rugby boys stop in

Tahāroa has a passion for hōiho – so when the community’s junior league team, nicknamed the Mini Steelers, needed to buy new uniforms, a community ride was a “no brainer”, according to keen rider and co-organiser Josh Morgan.

The resulting trek last weekend was a fundraiser for the Tahāroa Steelers Junior Rugby League – which has two teams: under-6 and under-9.

On Saturday, more than 80 riders met at Tahāroa Domain for a 9am karakia before trekking out along the coastline.

The group enjoyed a five-hour adventure through bush and farmland, with high points providing spectacular views down to the black sand beaches.

The next day included riding lessons for the children and mustering a family of wild horses  from the bush.  

All up, the weekend achieved its initial goal of supporting the Mini Steelers.

The ride also played a part in sparking a bigger idea: starting a Māori riding club to get rangatahi outside and re-connect them with horsemanship.

“So many young people today are just on their PlayStations; we used to just jump on a horse before we could walk,” Josh said.

“We want to get our youth back into riding.

“They can benefit so much from being involved with horses.

“There’s a lot of talent out here, and they don’t always get the opportunity to be part of the equestrian world. We want to help them improve their horsemanship and learn how to care for horses,” Josh said.

“It’s all about giving our tamariki opportunities, as a lot comes down to affordability and having a family that’s already involved in it.

“I always wanted to do rodeo from a young age but had no pathway, so I never got the opportunity.

“I would love to create a pathway to help our tamariki who are passionate about horses, learn the skills to further their passion,” he said.

Josh is currently exploring the options regarding a location and insurance.

The group would bring local young people a positive skill set, teaching them responsibility through caring for animals, and giving them the opportunity to compete in a challenging sport that can take them places in life.

Community members interested in supporting the initiative can contact him directly or through King Country News.

Formerly riding under the banner of Māori horse association Te Hapori Hōiho, the Tahāroa riders have recently chosen a new name and logo for their political rides.

These have included bringing their horses up to Waitangi and the hui-ā-motu this year. They are now known as the Rangatira Riders.

Horse trek leads to bigger things

WAITANGURU will hold its annual motorbike trail ride this weekend – with fresh tracks and a cracking BBQ. As always, it’s a fundraiser for the community hall.

On Sunday, trail bike lovers can enjoy farmland which is normally off-limits to the public, in a district well-known for its limestone karst formations and lush forests. The area was also famously one of the locations used in The Hobbit.

“This is one of the premier North Island trail rides covering the scenic King Country.

“There are good tracks which are well-marked, with plenty of character,” hall committee member David Ronaldson said.

‘There will be native bush, bulldozed tracks, grassed farm tracks and plenty of hills.

“Every year, we head a different direction on the compass, ensuring you won’t be riding flogged-out tracks filled with bumps and kickers from previous years. It also makes it easier on the landowners.

“For people who come every year, it will be something different.

“There’s something for everyone – on the main track, there’s bush, mud, and a fair bit of fast country.

“We haven’t done this track in quite a few years.

“And we don’t charge the earth.

“We have a 40-kilometre track open all day, a 3km beginner track, and a simple track for the little kiddies.

“The last two options are great for those who are still building their confidence,” David said.

He said the community would be providing food for only the second time. There would be a BBQ, hot dogs, and hot chips.

“The food’s pretty hard to beat.”

Fellow committee member Brice Fredrickson said he was looking forward to this year’s route, which would take riders into one of the district’s famous big stations, known for hosting shearing records.

“There are more bush tracks year, and we’ll go into the back blocks of Puketiti station,” he said.

The district is 20 minutes west of Piopio, 50 minutes north of Awakino or 40 minutes south of Te Kūiti.

The ride will be signposted from the south end of Piopio township. As with many such events, two-wheelers, four-wheelers and conventional side-by-sides are all welcome. It is suitable for all ages including competent young riders, the organisers say.

The tracks are open 9-3pm. For more information, please contact Brice Frederickson 07 877 8878, or Waitanguru Hall, Facebook page.

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