Sigrid Christiansen

PIOPIO College’s 100m boys intermediate sprint record had stood since 1988. It was called “unbeatable”.

But student Noah Brownlie broke it anyway: by two milliseconds, running 12:08, the record was 12:10.  

Then he went off to milk cows.  

The win was at least a year in the making – Noah tried unsuccessfully to beat it once already, in 2022.  

“I got close to the record last year. And then in the heat this year, I was a few milliseconds off.  

“I was confident heading into the final. I did the final, and got 2 milliseconds under the record.

“It sat for so long – not many people thought it would ever be broken. Because when they ran it, the track was going downhill slightly, and the new track goes very slightly uphill.  People had said “it’s going to be heaps harder to beat.”

The record had been a hot topic at the school.  

“It was really cool to beat it. I went home happy.”

Preparing for the race mentally, Noah aimed to be relaxed, but serious about his running.  

“It was just going in and seeing what happens. I was always going to run the hardest that I could.”

It helped that soccer is his main sport – and running is a by-product of that.

“Now my name’s in Piopio College history for a while – until someone faster than me breaks it.”

The family has a connection with the previous record holder.  

“My mum’s friend went to school with the guy who got the record. I don’t know much about him, but it was cool to know it links back to my family a little bit.”

Noah no longer attends Piopio, because his family has moved to Te Pahu, near Pirongia. He has recently enrolled at Ōtorohanga College.

Next up for Noah is his new school athletics event, to take place at the start of next term.

“I don’t know what the record’s going to be like there – but I’m going to find out.

“It will be cool to go and hopefully still be in shape a little bit.”

Noah’s big regret from the Piopio College athletics event was mucking around in the 200m. The prankster got distracted by his mates – meaning he missed out on a second potential record-breaking achievement.  

“My friends told me to start running backwards – so I did. I think I was still 5 milliseconds off breaking it, even with running backwards. So that was a bit of a heartbreak.  

“It was just a straight final; you don’t have heats or anything. I didn’t think I’d be as close as I was.”

He won’t be doing that again at Ōtorohanga.

Noah said he wasn’t considering professional soccer, although highly paid; his dream is to be a builder.  

“Soccer is hopefully a thing I just carry on doing through my life, however long it goes for.”

The two complement each other because builders often get weekends off, unlike dairy farming, his parents’ profession.  

Mum Liz Brownlie said Noah’s running talent ran in the family – his Nana Lorraine Roper, who is now in her 80s, had been a skilled runner in her schooldays.  

“She thinks it’s very cool that Noah has followed in her footsteps.”

The whole family dedicated a lot of time and energy to Noah’s sport.

His soccer practices mean the family travels at least three hours each week.

“It’s fantastic that he takes it so seriously and is so committed to it,” Liz said.

“I think it’s showing – he’s starting to get invited to join more sports teams.”

She said Noah had told her about his goal before the race– it was the one thing he’d really wanted to achieve before changing schools.  

“It’s very Brownlie – going after what you want.”

One of Noah’s teachers at the college, Sandeep Kishore, had also noted Noah’s positive attitude.

“Noah has always had that driving force and commitment in him to improve and upskill in all sports he takes part in.

“As a soccer player, he gives so much on the field in terms of effort and work rate every time he plays, and I believe any player or athlete needs to have that desire and intelligence about them to reach the top.

“It is quite evident that Noah’s willingness and determination to give his best in anything he does will lead him to reach his full potential and succeed,” Sandeep said.

The previous record holder for the intermediate boys 100m is former Piopio student Robert Goldsbury.

Now working in Christchurch as a concrete truck driver, he was interested to find out that his record had finally been broken.

He found out about it when his niece forwarded him a Facebook post about Noah.

Back in 1988, he remembered hearing over the loudspeaker that he had broken the record but did not recall how long it had stood for. He recalled the excitement of being a young sportsman – one of two at the time who vied for the top spot in athletics at Piopio.  

“We were all young and free – no body aches, unlike now.

“When they announced it over the loudspeaker, I was happy and thrilled as young people are.”

He had been very happy to hear about Noah’s record.

“The record was standing for quite a while, so the young fulla’s done very well. Congratulations to him,” Robert said.

Noah destroys ‘unbreakable’ Piopio College record

PONIES aplenty competed at the Waikato Area Pony Club Ribbon Day – which featured two local clubs among the competing teams.  

The biggest event was a bending relay event, in which ponies and riders weave through a line of tall poles before handing a baton on to the next rider.

It was noted that it was younger riders able to fit on the smallest ponies had the advantage: it was easier for them to manage the tight turns around the bending poles.  

Ōtorohanga took out the victory with their swift riding and calm, collected baton handovers.  

Te Kūiti & Districts Pony Club, which is based in Piopio, offered a strong showing with just three riders, while Ōtorohanga riders excelled with their larger team of riders, which included Āria school’s Mia Terry.

Hamilton won the Gold Cup for the second year in a row.

“Brilliant day out. Congratulations to all the riders and clubs.

“It brings me so much joy to see such wonderful attitudes and riding abilities.

“What a display in the team bending. Slightly terrifying,” the club announced on social media.  

The event was held on December 1 at Kihikihi Domain.  

Ōtorohanga club wins bending relay at Gold Cup

Dan Tasker

It’s been a year to remember for Hone Mathieson, made a little more memorable after being called into the Chiefs U20 wider squad.

The 55-strong squad, made up of the region’s best up-and-coming rugby talent, assembles for a pre-Christmas blowout at Te Kūiti’s Rugby Park from 9.30am on Saturday.

In the mix for a spot in the eventual 28-man squad for the Super Rugby Next Gen campaign in March is Mathieson, the 18-year-old who has kicked down every door in front of him in 2023.

Mathieson showed his character credentials early in the year, after he was named head boy at Te Kūiti High School (TKHS), before setting his eyes on the rugby year ahead.

His “foot in the door” moment came in February when he had the opportunity to train with the Chiefs U20s in Te Kūiti, inspiring the young first five-eighth towards greater things.

After a successful school season with TKHS’s 1st XV winning the Waikato second division, Mathieson was selected for King Country U19 and the New Zealand (NZ) Māori U18 teams.

Greater opportunities continued to “skyrocket quite rapidly” with a call-up to the Chiefs U18 camp at Hamilton’s St Paul’s Collegiate in October, where Mathieson was named as the starting 10 for one of two Chiefs teams to beat their respective Blues U18 opposition.

Mathieson said the chance to learn from quality coaches had seen his skills and understanding of rugby improve to where he could compete at the next level.

“The difference I found between school rugby and NZ Māori and Chiefs U18s is the attention to detail. If it’s tackling, where does your cheek need to be? Or if you’re running down lines, which gap and which shoulder should you be running at? At school level, they don’t really take note of those things,” Mathieson said.

Chiefs head of Pathways Kent Currie said visits to Te Kūiti had become a habit in recent years to “give players a taste of the Heartland regions where they represent”, as well as being a central location in the Chiefs region.

Getting to do it all in Te Kūiti is a bonus for Mathieson, who is champing at the bit to prove himself once again on home turf.

“The start of this year I was just training and getting a feel for it, whereas now I’m actually fighting for a spot in the actual team,” Mathieson said.

“It’s a proud moment having the Chiefs U20s coming down here to train in a place where I grew up; I’m just proud and honoured for them to be here.”

Joining Mathieson in the Chiefs U20s wider group will be his fellow King Country and Chiefs U18s team-mate David Lewai from Taupō, making them the first King Country schoolboys to make the Chiefs U18 squad since halfback Oliver Toma in 2019.

Mathieson is set to move south to New Plymouth next month after signing on to Taranaki Rugby’s academy programme, where he will ply his rugby trade at either the Tukapa or Coastal clubs in 2024.

Bay of Plenty Rugby’s athlete development manager James Porter will lead the 2024 Chiefs U20s coaching group in his second year at the reins, partnering with former London Wasps coach and current Thames Valley assistant coach Leon Holden and Waikato Rugby’s player development manager Rhys Bayliss.

Mathieson gets chance with Chiefs U20s

Andy Campbell

FOUR King Country cousins held off serious out-of-town contention to come fourth in the Marokopa Munter 24-hour race.

Stacie Fagan, Sam Adams, Zac Buckeridge and James Power pack-rafted, trekked and mountain biked over back country against 13 other finishing teams in the 24-hour race.

“We were only 10 points off second place,” Stacie said. “We called ourselves a bunch of amateurs ... I suppose we could put more training into it and do better, but to get that sort of result is pretty impressive for us.”

They didn’t do as much training as they would have liked; the Snail Squashers, as they named their team, all work full-time, three of them with young kids.

“But we are all pretty physically fit. Most of us are farmers as well. The last sort of six to eight weeks every weekend we were going out to Pureroa or Pirongia, or somewhere like that, and making up a training ride. Big training. You can’t just shoot out and do a quick training, you are doing a six-to-eight-hour training.

“I don’t know (why) I got roped into it. We did it last year and my cousins just asked me if I wanted to join, and I said ‘yes’. We had fun last year but wanted to improve ourselves this year.”

Over 24 hours they kayaked down the Awakino and Mokau rivers then trekked and mountain biked north from waikawau following the Manganui River valley. There was a big loop through coastal hill country using a map and compass to find checkpoints.

“Sam is our navigator, so he will do all of that stuff,” Stacie said.

“It’s pretty hard 24 hours but then it’s good to have the breakdown of the three different areas.

“Your body recovers from that a little bit, so you are using different muscles for each discipline. You have to fuel yourself the whole time. That’s one thing I struggle with the most, fueling myself through the whole thing.

“It’s keeping on top of that, so you have got the energy to complete it. It’s a long time and when you get to the middle of the night you are usually sleeping, but you are trying to eat as

well, and eat decent meals.
“You can’t live off those gels and all that fancy stuff, you have got to have proper food.”
This year they were allowed a support crew, so at about 8-9pm they had hot food and a change of clothes because all their clothes were soaked. It rained for the entire 24 hours/150 or so kilometres.
It was also the opportunity to drop off the pack rafts (two-person inflatable kayaks) and go to smaller packs. They had to carry a pack with sleeping bags and emergency gear.
“It works for a few hours and then afterwards you just get soaked. And you walk through rivers and creeks and stuff like that and so your feet are absolutely soaked, and you are wrinkled by the end of it.
“You can’t keep yourself dry. It was good at that 9 o’clock to get completely changed out of those clothes but they just got worse again in a few hours.”
Stacie is a merino fan, wearing about three layers and a waterproof jacket.
“Everyone’s got their different ideas on what’s best and what is comfy for the 24 hours you are in those shoes and clothes for.”
Stacie got a medal for a half marathon she completed, but there was nothing from the munter, not even a spot prize.
“It’s not really for that, just do it to survive it. Mental strength is what you have to have, mental toughness just to get through it,” she said.
“Everyone is going to have their highs and lows. I definitely had some lows, but the guys carried me along and I got through and we finished the strongest. In probably our last three hours we were a strong team finishing. We felt really good for that last three hours; we felt we were nearly there.
“A couple of the guys were really wanting to go to sleep because you don’t do any training for that, staying up all night.
“Everything is a lot harder when it’s pitch black and you’re trying to bike on the road. Hiking and trying to find the checkpoints, so you have really have to be on with your navigating because they don’t stand out like in the daytime.
“Night time’s the hardest, trying to work out where you are and what you are doing. It was a bloody awesome, hard course.”
She attributes the team’s mental toughness to their mountain bike training. Stacie recalled mountain biking down a small muddy track. Sam went over his handlebars, Stacie fell off.
“It was a few hours of hard work going down a skinny mountain bike track on someone else’s farm,” she said.
It was the mountain biking that gave the team the name. Last year they were called team Kopaki.
“I got really tired about 1am, 2am. But on the road there were snails everywhere. And then that was one thing that kept me awake was squashing the snails. My cousin thought it would be a good idea to name the team Snail Squashers. We have to keep our name now.”
The teams ahead of the Snail Squashers at the finish were Nelson Vets, Hildy’s Groupies, MarcoGoGo.
“I found it quite emotional when you are getting towards the end of that 24 hours and you get a massive cheer on when you are getting in, and everyone is standing around clapping for you. As far as I’m aware we were the only local team.”
Matt Lash, the event co-director, said the constant drizzle made it a challenging race for the six- and 12-hour events as well.
“The six and 12 hours are growing. The people that do it love being outdoors, love the challenge, the teamwork – and the community are awesome. The people at Marokopa are fantastic people, generous with their time and their land and see the value of people doing these activities.”

Munted at Marokopa

TAMARIKI from St Joseph’s Catholic School Te Kūiti enjoyed their athletics day on Monday.

Around 20 friends and family members came to support the young racers, gathering at the oval across the road from the kura.

Events included junior and senior house relays, a parents race – parents versus year 8s, plus 60m and 100m and 200m sprints.

While the whole school supported the event, the main organiser was teacher Kirsten Erasmus.

Principal Suzanne Downey said the day went well. She was thankful for the warm, sunny weather, and for the students’ attitude and hard work.  

“They really pushed themselves – all of them did pretty well.”

While all the students worked hard, one was a standout in the races.

“Eti Tanilu Lava excelled all day in the sprints.” she said.

Big day at athletics

Staff Reporter

Maunga Lions hold a one-point lead at the top of the table after the first five rounds of the ASB Bank Ōtorohanga Club Summer Soccer Competition.

Maunga Lions have been undefeated in pool play so far, with four wins and a penalty shootout win over second place iProtech Security, who are one point back in the competition.

Following these two teams are five teams tied on 12 points, including TV Connect, PFC United, King Country Electrical, OTC Blues and King Country Auto Glass.

In the match for The Log last Thursday night, King Country Auto Glass overcame a spirited Main Road Kings, with Jacob O’Brien Man of the Match in King Country Auto Glass’ 2-1 victory.

Kiwitown Electrical were 2-0 winners over Hobbs Transport Services in their Stump challenge.

Maunga Lions were 1-0 winners over King Country Kitchens, with Andrew Payne Man of the Match, while OTC Blues continued their good start to the competition with a 4-1 win over Sniper Refinish.

iProtech Security, thanks to three goals from Jack Connor, were 4-1 winners over Advantage Tyres, while King Country Electrical have been impressive so far, and were 2-0 winners over Bula Boys.

Bailey Ingham were too good for Giltrap Agrizone, winning 3-1, while PFC United showed their goal-scoring skills with a 9-1 thumping of Smithy’s Nailers.

TV Connect were 4-1 winners over Darcy’s Raiders, with Jamie Walker Man of the Match.

This week King Country Auto Glass defend The Log against Giltrap Agrizone, while Kiwitown Electrical defend The Stump against Bula Boys.

Narrow lead for Maunga Lions

The New Zealand team finished just out of the medals in fourth place out of a 10-strong field at the weekend’s Stihl Timbersports World Championship in Stuttgart, Germany.

Individual event competitor Jack Jordan from Taumarunui also finished mid-field.

Australia, USA and Canada completed the podium in that order.  

New Zealand finished third behind Australia and USA last year, and last won the teams title in 2017.

The team event involves teams battling against each other in a knockout format across four disciplines: Stock Saw, Single Buck, Underhand Chop and Standing Block Chop.

In the 12-strong individual event field, King Country axeman Jack Jordan was well-positioned in the top third for much of the competition, but a poor showing in the springboard discipline saw him finish seventh overall.

It was the 27-year-old farmer’s first appearance at an individual world championship of the more traditional, long-form format across six different wood-chopping and sawing disciplines.

Jack already holds the world record for the faster-format Stihl Timbersports World Trophy competition that he won in June in the Netherlands.

He earned the right to be the sole New Zealand representative in the individual competition at these World Championships after he topped a 10-strong field at the NZ National Stihl Timbersports finals in March this year.

Australian Jamie Head made it a double victory for Australia by also winning the individual competition.

The 2023 New Zealand team consisted of Jack Jordan, Taumarunui; Bobby Dowling, Southland; Nathan McDonald, Auckland; Chris Lord, Ōtorohonga; and Mathew Gower, Taranaki.

Top four finish for axemen

FIERCE competition and lots of laughs: this year’s Kaumātua Games on Friday at the Les Munro Centre were a blast.

The youngest participants were aged in their 50s – the oldest in their mid-90s.

Manuhiri (guests) arrived from as far as Taranaki, Paeroa and Thames, while the locals came from Te Kūiti, Ōtorohanga, Taumarunui and Benneydale to name a few.

In the middle of the action were Ōtorohanga’s lifestyle fitness group, which led group exercises at the start.

The free day out kicked off with a karakia and pōwhiri, sandwiches and line dancing.

Anne Lemieux from Maniapoto Marae Pact Trust said the event was designed so “all ages and abilities” could play.

Fourteen teams attended, each with six to eight members.

Competition was fierce across events such as seated volleyball (played with a beach ball), an egg-and-spoon race using marbles, “toss the bean bag in the hole”, and giant quoits –  throwing hoops over road cones.

Plus, there was the scandalously named “sexy hips” played with a tennis ball in a stocking, dangling from participants’ waists.

“It’s great being part of it and seeing how much fun everybody has. The kaumātua always want to come back, that’s a testament to it really,” Anne said.

The greatest benefits were wellbeing and socialisation.

The games got older people out of their homes and supported them to catch up with their friends and relatives, some of whom they might not have seen for a while.

“They want to be able to play, not just on the sideline watching.”

It was different to what people normally expected of kaumātua, Anne said.

And it was valuable for the younger volunteers to see a new side of the older people they cared for.

For many of the kaumātua, sport had been a big part of their lives; and a few had been representative softball players in their time.

“So, they were no strangers to winning.

“They’re very competitive. There’s always screaming and yelling.”

“You have to tell the people running the games that they need to be firm in their decisions.

“Sometimes they get so into it – they jump up and they forget they can’t breathe.”

The games have taken place every year since 2008, aside from a two-year break during Covid.

They were organised by Maniapoto Marae Pact Trust and Te Kūiti Community House. Waitomo District Council sponsored the use of the hall.

Kaumātua have a blast

The country’s top axeman, Jack Jordan, intends to honour the memory of his old teammate and competitor Jason Wynyard in the best way possible this week – by winning the Stihl Timbersports World Championship in Europe.

In doing so, the 27-year-old King Country farmer will join the illustrious company of Wynyard and David Bolstad (who won in 2007) as the only other Kiwi to ever win the coveted title.

Wynyard won the world championship event a record nine times during his legendary wood-chopping career but fell agonisingly short in his quest for 10 titles last year. Wynyard died from an aggressive form of cancer last month.

“Both myself and the rest of the New Zealand team attending these world championships know that although Jason won’t be competing, his presence will be keenly felt by us and all the other international axemen at the event,” Jack said.

Jack earned the right to be the sole New Zealand representative in the individual competition at the world championships after he topped a 10-strong field including Wynyard at the NZ National Stihl Timbersports finals in March.

Jack already holds the world record for the faster-format Stihl Timbersports World Trophy competition, which he won in June in the Netherlands.

This weekend’s world championship event at Stuttgart, Germany, is the more traditional, long-form format across six wood-chopping and sawing disciplines.  

Jack will also compete alongside the New Zealand team in the teams’ competition being held the day before his individual event.

Included in the five-member New Zealand team is fellow King Country axeman Chris Lord from Otorohanga who was named 2019 Stihl Rookie World Champion.

The other members of the team are Bobby Dowling (Southland), Nathan McDonald (Auckland) and Mathew Gower (Taranaki).

Axeman honours teammate's memory

Thirteen young Ki o Rahi teams came to Piopio College for the Te Nehenehenui Ki o Rahi festival last Friday.

There were two grades: Year 7/8s and Year 5/6s.  

It was deliberately called a festival rather than a tournament to emphasise its cooperative values.

Each team nominated a player from the opposition for the Ngakau Māhaki Tohu award, given to “a student who demonstrates excellent spirit and sportsmanship.”  

Those winners are yet to be announced.

Ki o Rahi is a fast-paced sport played on a circular field. Games are played between a defending taniwha team and an attacking kīoma team.  

Teams score points by touching a tupu, a central marker, with the ball.  Kī-o-Rahi is derived from ball games played in circular clearings before colonisation.

Centennial Park’s Tī Ara, coached by teacher Mani Borell, topped the Year 5/6 category after an “awesome” game against Benneydale.

The Centennial Park tamariki told their stories to student Amaia Tapu, also the team photographer alongside fellow year 6 student Eli Rapana.

She asked fellow year 6 Kauri Wynyard which team was the most challenging to play.  

“Mōkau – because we only started getting most of our points in the last quarter,” Kauri said.  

Year 6 Wiremu Rangitonga said his favourite aspect of the game was trying to protect the tupu – “the stick in the middle.”

“It was fun blocking the balls,” he said.

Year 6 Manaia Waaka thought the “very fun” sport was great for all – especially those girls who like to try new things.  

Year 5 Taiao Wynyard was the youngest Centennial Park student to participate.  

“I was only a tiny bit scared,” he said.

Te Kūiti High School supported the other kura.  

Staff members including Nano Te Whare visited primary schools in the area (including Pukenui, TK Primary and Mōkau) to provide gear and advice ahead of the festival.  

“We always try to give them as much help as we can,” Nano said.

On the day, top TKHS players served as referees.

“We had our two representative students out there: New Zealand representative Potahi McTainsh and New Zealand Māori representative Hone Mathieson.”

TKHS has played competitive Ki o Rahi for the past 10 years, so knows the game better than many. It recently finished third at the NZ Secondary Schools Nationals in 2023.

TKHS support helped ensure the fields were a good size for the students who would play on them.

“We helped them set up the dimensions of the fields for the year 5s to 8s, just to make them a little bit bigger, to help them out,” Nano said.

The younger ones get more running and play area that way, he said.  

Benneydale principal Jacqui Coogan said her students appreciated the chance to play at the festival.

Their goal was to “have a good time and learn a new game”.

The Benneydale students were so exhausted afterwards that they all fell asleep in the van on the way home, she said.  

Hosts Piopio College saw their senior team Ruru win the final against Te Wharekura o Maniapoto Waiwaia – in the year 7/8 category.

Te Nehenehenui Ki o Rahi Festival

PIOPIO’s Kaleb Foote will return to the New Zealand Heartland XV squad this year.

He will be the only King Country Rams player joining the tour – this Sunday he is off to the South Island to face off against the New Zealand Barbarians and Canterbury.

The 23-man squad comprises many of New Zealand’s best players, being rewarded for their standout performances in the prior 2023 Bunnings Warehouse Heartland Championship competition.

Foote, who lives in Waitanguru, is a farmer when he’s off the field. When he spoke to King Country News, he was busy “tidying up a bit of drenching” before going away.

It is a demanding part of the season with this year’s crop of lambs and calves, and he is grateful for his family looking after the property during the tour – as they have done throughout the year, when he has been off playing for many weekends in a row.

It had been “pretty awesome” to be selected, although that was mixed with surprise that a talented fellow player for the King Country Rams would not be joining him.

“I think there’s at least one player in the team that should have been a first-choice pick.

“I’m pretty disappointed because he’s good mate of mine. He had an outstanding season ... I thought if any of us were going to be in, it would be him, but I suppose that’s the way the cookie crumbles.”

“Still, it’s a good achievement to have made it on my own.”

Kaleb said his recent season had been up and down in some ways, although he felt he had been generally strong in the lineouts.

He guesses that his selection may have been to do with the coach wanting players with previous experience in the squad – given that many of last year’s players have not made the side a second time.

He said there was much to look forward to with the eight-day tour.

As well as the chance to “feel like a professional again”, he would be socialising with players he knew from last year – a good group of guys.

“I spent a bit of time having a few beers with them [last year]. It was great getting to know people from around the country.”

He had already seen them during games in this year’s Heartland comp – but now he would play alongside them.

Foote is grateful for the chance to learn from Nigel Walsh, who will coach the Heartland side this year.

“He’d probably be one of the better coaches, I suppose. Without any disrespect to anyone else that I’ve come across.

“He’s an awesome guy and I really liked some of his ideas.

“He’s coached the South Canterbury side to currently the longest winning streak in National Provincial Championship (NPC) history. His team hasn’t lost a game in three, maybe four years now.

“He’s a pretty good guy. He comes from a farming background ... he’s a real down-to-earth Kiwi bloke.

Walsh never micromanaged the players, Kaleb said.

“Last year, he was like, ‘just go out there and play rugby’.

“He didn’t try and overcomplicate anything. We were in there for a week, after all.

“You can’t change the world in a week. That approach just made it more fun, and everyone felt it.”

“For us, he hit the nail on the head.”

He said, “you guys are obviously pretty good rugby players. You’ve been selected on the side. We don’t need to be there telling you what to do.”

Last year, the new environment had led to a few nerves for the players – but Walsh managed this well, Foote said.  

“Last year, going into the squad was a little bit like turning up to a new classroom or going to a new school.

“Straight away he got us into doing a few drills, so you were almost forced to get to know everyone, which was really good.

“After the first day or two, we gelled as a team.”

It will be a few more years before he considers retiring – partly thanks to the social and off-field atmosphere at the Piopio rugby club.

“I’m only young and a lot of old timers, they say play for as long as you can. And you’re retired a long time. I can’t see my rugby career stopping in the immediate future.

“I do feel like I’m getting a bit older and a bit slower and my body’s not what it once was, but I could probably push on for another year or maybe two.

“Maybe I’ll get into coaching in a few years, so at least I can stay in the circle.”

Walsh confirmed his squad following the Heartland finals last weekend which saw South Canterbury win the Meads Cup for a third consecutive year over Whanganui (40-30), and West Coast secure the Lochore Cup in a nailbiter against Poverty Bay (23-20).

Among the debutants were Meads Cup winners Connor Anderson, Finlay Joyce and Sam Briggs.

Whanganui’s Peceli Malanicagi, Peter-Travis Hay-Horton and Douglas Horrocks were also named.

Walsh said there was a thorough process during player selections, and he was impressed with each individual throughout the season.

“Every player listed stood out during the Heartland competition and I’ve got a good mix of experience across the board.”

The Heartland XV will play in a two-match campaign against Canterbury Development on November 1 and the New Zealand Barbarians on November 4. Both matches will be streamed live on New Zealand Rugby.

Kaleb returns to Heartland XV

RIDERS – the fiercely competitive adult kind alongside up-and-coming youngsters – will enjoy a day of equestrian challenge at Piopio’s biggest annual horse event on Saturday.

Te Kūiti and Districts Pony Club is hard at work getting ready for the Piopio One Day Event (ODE). The occasion will see 100 horse and rider teams heading to the domain to compete across three disciplines.

Those are dressage, jumping, and cross country. The winners will be the riders who collect the most points across the three endeavours.

Anna Nelson, who designs and builds the cross-country course, was among community members preparing ahead of the big day.

The ODE is by far the biggest thing on her radar now, she said, noting that it would attract a broad range of competitive riders.

She hopes the public will come down to watch at the “spectator friendly venue” –and watch from the hill overlooking the course.

“We get people and ponies from all over the Waikato and further afield,” she said.

The money raised from entries (and a barbecue) would go into creating new jumps and maintaining existing facilities for riders at the Piopio domain.

Luckily, Te Kūiti & Districts Pony Club had not needed to replace jumps that washed away throughout the various flooding events of 2023, as “very kind” downstream farmers had managed to fish most of them out them out.

“Most of them have been returned,” she said. “I don’t think they got very far because [the river is] not very steep. They only go a little way.”

For senior riders, the most challenging “gold standard” event will see them jumping their horses over nearly one metre.

“The highest level we’ve got competing is up to 95 centimetres,” Anna said.

Pony Club president Dani Darke said another important aspect of the event was that it gave the younger riders a chance to compete.

Her daughters were riding in the event for the first time, along with many of their local pony club friends. They would be in the “first start” category.

“For the young ones coming through, I think it’s important that we keep having these events. So those kids can have those opportunities to have a crack and get better.”

There would be a different set of rules for the youngest riders. Normally riders are eliminated if their horse refuses a jump a certain number of times, but this would not be the case on Saturday for that age group.

“We’ll just make an effort to get all the kids around and finished. They won’t be getting eliminated or anything if their ponies won’t jump.”

Anna and Dani consider the grounds are looking “really good this year” with the Buckley and Harris families among those who have been involved in the work.

This year, their contribution was not just about painting the jumps, cleaning loos or maintaining the arena – it was also about stopping erosion around the grounds, which border the Mōkau River.

“We’ve fenced off all around the river and planted out along the banks,” Dani said.

“Everyone has pulled together to help make it happen. It takes lots of people to run the day.

“We have a hardy crew of enthusiasts, working together for months beforehand to get set up.”

She is especially grateful to those who keep returning despite no longer having young children learning to ride.

Piopio ODE this weekend

Contributed

The “Jim Wright Nissan” sponsored tournament at Ōtorohanga Bowling Club last Sunday was a real success for this small club.

The day was shortened to three games to allow the “rugby buffs” to watch the Ireland/All Blacks match before travelling. The result of that match produced a very upbeat mood.

There was only one team with three wins, but seven teams recording two wins and a loss, meaning second and third were settled on ends won.

The winners with three wins were the Piopio team skipped by Eileen Hayes with Wendy Weinberg and Linda Sattler in support.

In second place was the Ōtorohanga team, skipped by Lyn Martin winning on 15 ends and scoring 17 points. Third place was secured by another Ōtorohanga team skipped by David Hughes winning 14 ends.

The next tournament is Sunday, November 19.

Bowls tournament shortened for rugby

Te Kūiti shearer Jack Fagan sent out another warning that he is out for some big pickings on the Shearing Sports New Zealand circuit this summer when he won the Gisborne Shearing and Woolhandling Championships open shearing final at the Poverty Bay A and P Show on Saturday.

It was the first North Island competition on a calendar of about 60 shows nationwide in the 2023-2024 season.

The placing came a week after Fagan was runner-up in the New Zealand Winter Comb Championship and sixth in the Waimate Spring Shears final in the South Island.

On the open shearing scene for about a decade, Fagan won national titles in the New Zealand Corriedales Championship in Christchurch last November and the New Zealand Crossbred Lambs final in Winton in January, and also had several successes in the UK during the Northern Hemisphere summer.

The pace in last weekend’s five-man final of 20 sheep was led by far-travelled Northland gun Toa Henderson of Kaiwaka, who finished in 16 minutes, 38 seconds, almost half-a-minute before next-man-off Fagan.

But in the final count, Fagan beat Masterton shearer Paerata Abraham by 0.7 points, and third place went to Eketahuna shearer Hemi Braddick, who was trying to repeat a Gisborne win of 12 months earlier, the first open win of his career. Henderson had to settle for fourth place.

Multiple champion woolhandler Joel Henare returned to his hometown to win a ninth Gisborne open woolhandling title, and the 134th open win of his career, spearheading a number of hometown successes on the day.

Brittany Tibble of Gisborne was second, the senior and intermediate shearing titles went to Gisborne competitors Te U Wilcox and Dylan Young respectively, and the senior and junior woolhandling titles also went to Gisborne competitors Traemon Campbell and Renee Apanui, respectively.

The next competition in the North Island is the Great Raihania Shears shearing and woolhandling championships tomorrow at the Hawke’s Bay A and P Show in Hastings.

Results from the Gisborne Shearing and Woolhandling Championships at the Poverty Bay A and P Show on Saturday, October 15 were:

Shearing:

Open final (20 sheep): 1, Jack Fagan (Te Kuiti) 17min 7sec, 61.5 pts; 2, Paerata Abraham (Masterton) 17min 10sec, 62.2; 3, Hemi Braddick (Eketahuna) 17min 41sec, 62.5; 4, Toa Henderson (Kaiwaka) 16min 38sec, 63.6; 5, Tama Nia Nia (Gisborne) 18min 50sec, 64.95.

Senior final (10 sheep): 1, Te Ua Wilcox (Gisborne) 11min 25sec, 41.75pts; 2, Bruce Grace (Wairoa) 12min 34sec, 46.9; 3, David Hodge (Te Puke) 13min 33sec, 52.15; 4, Jack Hutchison 13min 6sec, 56.1, 5; Jake Williams 11min 12sec, 58.1pts.

Intermediate final (5 sheep): 1, Dylan Young (Gisborne) 7min 28sec, 35.6; 2, Ryka Swann (Wairoa) 8min 25sec, 42.65; 3, Cheyden Winiata (Nuhaka) 8min 27sec, 45.75; 4, Sam Parker (Raglan) 8min 25sec, 49.25; 5, Matekino Puhia (Raupunga) 7min 16sec, 61.8.

Junior final (4 sheep): 1, Kaivah Cooper (Napier) 8min, 37.75; 2, Tom Kerley (Wairoa) 23min 3sec, 46.4; 3, Raupunga Puhia (Raupunga) 6min 18sec, 53.65; 4, Jodiesha Kirkpatrick (Gisborne) 11min 5sec, 54pts; 5, Roy Pomare (Gisborne) 7min 17sec, 60.1.

Woolhandling:

Open final: 1, Joel Henare (Gisborne) 126.8; 2, Brittany Tibble (Gisborne) 225; 3, Keryn Herbert (Te Kuiti) 229; 4, Samantha Gordon (Masterton) 266.6.

Senior final: 1, Tramon Campbell (Gisborne) 135; 2, Anne Connell (Gisborne) 164; 3, Rahera Kerr (Hauturu) 186; 4, Te Whetu Brown (Wairoa/Napier) 187.6.

Junior final: 1, Renee Apanui (-) 122.8; 2, Jodiesha Kirkpatrick (Gisborne) 125.6; 3, Kelly Barrett (-) 127.4; 4, Waiari Puna (Napier) 128.4.

Novice: 1, Shaquille Hauiti (-) 48.6; 1; 2, Kalyah Ferguson (Waipawa) 57; 3, Layiss Atkins (-) 72; 4, Peti Biddle (-) 75.8; 5, Aqua Lee Ruru (-) 80.2.

Fagan wins at first North Island show of season

THE popular Ngutunui hill climb has been cleared to go ahead after Ōtorohanga District Council overruled a single anonymous objection.

The handwritten objection claimed to speak for three families on Pekanui Rd, and alleged intimidation, which was why they didn’t put their name to the objection.

The letter was dropped off at the council reception on September 25.

The writer claimed they were threatened with a burnout on their doorstep and that a child had been threatened at school.

They complained about inconvenience and “dreadful” noise and pollution and said there was more wear and tear on the road because of the hill climb than there was in a year of normal use, questioning why ratepayers had to pay for the road’s upkeep.

Councillors asked why they had not been approached individually by the writer if the person was concerned about intimidation and threats. No one had been approached, no call, message or email.

Ngutunui Hill Climb is a long-standing event run by the Hamilton Car Club and has been the subject of objections in the past.

In 2019, the event was cancelled when objections were received. In 2020, the event did not take place due to Covid. In 2021, the event was objected to again, but the council ruled community support for the event was greater.

The council decided to grant application for a temporary road closure of sections on Pekanui Road, from the intersection with Ngutunui Road to its intersection with Okupata – Pirongia West and Te Rauamoa, ‘T’ intersection on Sunday, November 12 allowing the hill climb to go ahead.

Hill climb objection overruled

POURING rain saw spectators huddling under umbrellas, but luckily no players were hurt during the very slippery Waitanguru vs Mairoa netball clash on Sunday, which was followed by a rugby game.

The two southwest Piopio districts have a many decades-long tradition of friendly competition, and the stormy weather definitely didn’t stop them.

The 1pm mixed netball game was refereed by Piopio’s Carolyn Webster; the youngest players were Elili Walters and Zoe Sherrif, both aged 11.

“All I can say is we ended up dancing in the rain,” the hosts, the Waitanguru Hall Committee, announced on social media.

“Our yearly tradition is still going strong. It was so much good fun to see the young ones stepping up.”

After the netball, everybody drove up the hill to Waitanguru Hall, where the rugby was held in the paddock.

One player was James Truscott, a contractor based 25 minutes out of Rotorua at Rerewhakaakitu.

He played for the Mairoa side, and said he wished his own community would get together with a similar event.  

“The atmosphere was awesome. Across the board it was a great day.

“The body was sore the next day though,” he said.

“It was great to see the young fellas playing too – they did do well.”

The score for the netball was 14-26 and the score for rugby was 30-40, both won by Mairoa.

Waitanguru Hall committee chair Dave Ronaldson said the event had been enjoyed by all.

“Everyone had a great time, it was a decent turnout considering the weather, and the food and beers finished off a good day for the community.”

Mairoa takes sporting honours

A Te Awamutu team competing in the Mondial Amateur Rugby World Cup had a great time winning five out of six games, losing to Tonga 15-13 in the quarter finals.

They placed fifth out of 16 teams entered.

The Te Awamutu team included King Country players Stacey Daniel and Josh Coffin.

“To be able to go over there and represent New Zealand by being the first team from the country to participate in this new event is exciting,” he said in August.

“Our goal is to go over there and do New Zealand proud. If we win, we get invited back to the next edition, if not another club in New Zealand gets an opportunity.”

The games were shorter than usual, but Daniel expected plenty of physicality.

“It’s a bit of a bugger the games will be shorter; it can be hard to get into the game or get combinations firing in shorter periods, but at the same time it’s going to be an incredibly exciting opportunity.”

Teammate Josh Coffin (son of All Black, Phillip Coffin) was named Player of the Tournament.

The Mondial Amateur Rugby World Cup was won by South Africa. It was played in southern France.

The Te Awamutu squad featured most of the premier side along with some of their development players.

“To be the first club from New Zealand going makes it more special,” Daniel said earlier.  “Adding to the significance is the fact the first All Blacks squad of 2023 was announced at our club and it’s the home club of current coach Ian Foster, so we hope to go over there and do everyone proud.”

In club rugby, every team has their rivals, however, with only one side representing the entire country, Te Awamutu’s rivals are even expected to be on their side.

Te Awamutu fifth in Amateur Rugby Worlds

TE  KŪITI’s rugby community is stepping up this weekend in support of the Sheehan children who survived the South Island car crash that killed their parents on August 28.

The stalls open at 10.30am and the rugby games kick off at the same time. There is a pre-sold hangi to pick up at 4pm followed by an auction at 4.30pm in the Waitete clubrooms.

The gold coin entry to the field also gives access to the stalls selling baking, general produce, sausage sizzle steak sandwiches, juices, drinks bacon and egg burgers hair braiding, face painting, and a (sold out) batons up raffle and auction.

Andrew Francis Sheehan and his wife, Kreshar Danielle Sheehan, (nee Fruean), pictured, died at the scene south of Dunedin.

Their three younger children Cruz, Kapri and Boston and the driver of the other vehicle, John Banbury, were critically injured and taken to Dunedin Hospital. Mr Banbury, a Whakatāne accountant, died the following day.

The injured children are now living with relatives and had returned to school in Te Kūiti, Waitete Rugby Club under-13s head coach Jared Needham said.

“For me as a coach, we are blessed in the way parents involved in the under-13 side have rallied together. It is being driven by quite a few parents, a good day is organised for Saturday.”

He said donated goods for the auction so far included a West Tigers’ rugby league jersey, Chiefs jersey and Waitomo District councillor Eddie Manawaiti had donated a BOP jersey signed by Sam Cane.

The King Country Rugby Union’s development officer Dan Tasker had organised the game side of it for the day, Jared said.

Many ocal businesses have also contributed to the auction.

“We are fortunate being in a small town, it touches the heart of everyone when something of this devastation happens.

“Many local businesses and families have already donated money and food items for our fundraising day, which we are very grateful for.

“Lots of people are really getting behind the organisation of this day including King Country Rugby.

“We all want to make this day a huge success and raise as much money as we can for the Sheehan family.

“So please come on down to enjoy some local rugby, good kai and show your support to Payton, Cruz, Kapri and Boston Sheehan and their extended family.”

Dan said under-9s, under-11s and under 13s games had been organised.

A secondary schools match between, Te Kūiti High School and Ōtorohanga College first XV, will be followed by a senior game.

Cruz’s older brother Payton Sheehan plays for the Te Kūiti High.

Community supports stricken family

Imagine a crew of young girls in a borrowed 12-person waka with boys they had met only five minutes before the race – a crew from New Caledonia that spoke only French.

Imagine them competing against experienced mixed teams of boys and girls who had practised together.

Plus, flight delays, heat so fierce it sent fellow competitors to hospital with heat exhaustion, and a differently designed waka that led to injuries. And a lack of resources “unknown” at this level of competition.

Nothing could stop a King Country junior kōtiro waka ama crew – almost all Maniapoto from Te Kūiti –  from taking out gold at the Australian Outriggers Trans Tasman Gubbi Gubbi 2023, held in Mooloolaba on the Sunshine Coast, over three days.

The reason for racing with the boys was that the two teams were put together for mixed crew races.

They took home three firsts, and 15 gold medallions.

They won the V12 J19 mixed 500m, and the V12 J16 mixed 500m events, plus another gold – won by Mia Wehi in a V6 J16 (six person, aged under 16) mixed 500m sprint, alongside three boys and two teammates from outside the rohe.

The “neck to neck” fairytale victories would make an exciting movie “like Cool Runnings,” in the words of their coach.

Afterwards, Erina “Edz” Wehi felt overwhelmed with the girls and their results.

“It was a journey. And it was a beautiful journey – I wouldn’t want anything other than what we experienced.”

She stressed the importance of believing in the children on and off the water, until they found confidence for themselves.  

Edz instantly knew when the girls found their self-belief – early in the racing.

“They came off the water and I knew. Straight away, I said, they’ve found it. We just worked with them around that.

“In times of doubt – and there were elements of doubt for our girls – that was so important.

“The girls told me, ‘Auntie, I don’t think we can do it, I don’t think we can podium’.

“I’ll be your strength and your courage,” she said.

Their intention had been to have “an experience” in Australia. But the night before the first race, it became clear the girls intended excellence.

“What do you want out of this campaign?” Edz asked them.

“They giggled and said, ‘we wouldn’t mind getting to the podium’.

So, I said, ‘I need to ask how serious you are.”

They said, ‘We’re really serious.”

She promised to “elevate the coaching” from there on in.

“I’ll treat you like any other coach treats people that want to podium. I’m going to be hard but I’m going to be fair,” she told them.

“Stick to the game plan and make every stroke count” was the advice.

“Every stroke is for those that have supported you all to get here. Do your seat and do your seat well. Don’t worry about anybody else.

“And they came out with gold.”

Language presented a challenge for all: the boys’ French speaking coach and Edz could not communicate.

“He didn’t speak English. When he was talking to me in French, I said, ‘Buddy I don’t understand a word you’re saying.’

“The kids were like, ‘Auntie, we don’t know what they’re saying’, so I said, ‘let the paddle do the talking.’”

The only English the boys knew was “win” – a word the girls taught them. Although the girls felt they might have understood more than they let on.

The rangatahi attuned to the boys’ movements – Edz told them to follow their lead because it would be too hard to explain in the moment.

It was an “enlightening experience” for their coach.  

“I’ve been around the world and done a lot of things, but this is something that I’ll really hold close to my heart.”

“We’ve come from having nothing – we don’t even own waka. We don’t even have a body of water we can paddle in. But these girls have been very resilient in terms of our training.”

“They [the other crews] have all got waka and resources, they’re all close to the water. We were the reverse,” Edz said.

Jordaane Tangihaere, mother of teammates Sierra and Vienna, said the girls gained much pride and confidence.

“[They were] not going for the ride but actually doing the mahi, putting in the hard work, doing their training and coming away with the results,” she said.

She recalled they went from being “the last of the last” in their first event, at the end of 2022.

Jordaane said the Queensland heat, in the 30s, was formidable.

“It was cool in the evening and really hot during the day, but a different heat. It was taking heaps out of them.”

Their first winning race was a V12 over 500 metres – a waka ama paddled by a crew of 12 – which is where the New Caledonian boys came in – and the unfamiliar waka.

“Ours is open, theirs is all individual (compartments). They have to change the way they move their bodies.

“One of our girls injured her back from overreaching, because she was steering,” Jordaane said.

It was pure luck that they had connected with that boys’ team, Jordaane said.

The New Caledonians had arrived with no girls’ teams, just as the mostly-Maniapoto girls had arrived without any tama (boys).

The combination worked.

“We were so glad they got to go in those extra races. The organisers put them all together – and they blitzed their heat, and later the final,” Jordaane said.

A planned six-kilometre event was postponed on the second day because of the heat. And then the team discussed whether to go ahead at all.

“A couple of other paddlers ended up in hospital. They were not able to come home today.”

It was a big race – the one the girls had originally gone to Australia for, and the only one in which they would have raced as a crew of six.

“Edz rang all the parents and said ‘Well, we can either bring our kids home healthy and well, or we can push for another day. We just said, ‘You make the call, we trust you.’ So, they pulled out. It was perhaps the event’s biggest disappointment, but it kept them safe.

Back home in Te Kūiti, three of the girls: Mia, Vienna and Sierra, insisted they weren’t tired after their big trip. Nor had they been too hot – maybe “a tad bit hotter”, according to Vienna.

They also shared some intrigue. One of the Australian teams had “tried to take a medal off us,” they said.

Luckily, Edz had made a video of the finish line, and could prove that the girls had won.  

“They’d originally given the medal to the other team – but Edz had to go through the event’s admin team and sort it out,” Jordaane said.

Mia’s highlight was “getting on the podium and getting gold.”

She felt “a little bit surprised, but once we actually got out there, I thought, actually we might have a chance. And we sure did.”

Sierra loved “just being there”.

“Paddling in Australia; it’s similar to New Zealand, and I enjoyed it. I was so thankful to be there.”

Vienna most appreciated staying well – the result of the strict hydration plan suggested by Edz.

“Because a lot of teams did [get heat stroke]. We were really grateful that we had Aunty to help us stay healthy.”

Despite the challenges of working with what were two New Caledonian teams (the 16- and 19-year-old categories) few observers realised the two crews had just connected.  

At first, things had been challenging, the girls said.

“I could just feel that in our waka, there was no communication. Our boys were picking up the rate and slowing it and stopping it,” Sierra said.

There were also laughs getting into the waka. The girls usually sit and get pushed; the boys push the waka then leap in. They also communicate stroke changeovers differently. But somehow it worked.

“For a team that we didn’t really know, and couldn’t really speak to, we just connected. We got it in the end.  

“Everyone said, ‘they must have been practising for years. You can tell.’ But it was our first time paddling together.”  

The girls said the New Caledonian boys didn’t come from a tight community like Te Kūiti - they had to do a lot more to get to Australia. So, they wanted, above all, not to let them down.

They even wondered whether they were the best girls’ team to support the boys, deciding after discussion that they would give it a go.

Edz, Jordaane and the girls are grateful to their supporters.

“We want to thank Claude Wehi, Kawe Roes, Peter Wehi, Lucy and the kids for opening your whare to us. And Jahdine Tapara and Flora Tane, our support coaches.”

“We also thank Ara Tika Waka ama club and Te Toki Waka ama Club, Uncle Armon at Scarborough Outrigger Club Australia for allowing our girls to train abroad. And our major sponsors: S & A Tata, R Jackson, the Buswell whanau, M Johnstone, Bailey Ingham, The Ngatais, L Green, C McCoy & P Thompson and T Millar-Hetet. A huge thank you for making this trip possible,” Jordaane said.

Edz said, “I want to express our absolute gratitude to each and everybody that supported the girls, whether that be financially, through karakia, through good intentions.

Next up for the girls is the Club Nats at Lake Karapiro, early next year. They hope to qualify for the world championships in Hawaii in August 2024.



Waka ama kōtiro claim gold in Aussie champs

The accolades keep on coming for King Country para cyclist Nicole Murray.

Murray, New Zealand Paralympian #222, has been named the world’s Best Female Summer Para Athlete at the 2023 Para Sport Awards.

Murray was among 10 winners to receive awards at a ceremony held alongside the International Paralympic Committee General Assembly and Conference at Manama in Bahrain.

The awards celebrate those whose efforts have contributed to strengthening the impact of Para sports worldwide.

Murray received her award from his Highness Shaikh Khaled bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

The award tops an incredible couple of years for the 30-year-old, where she has showcased her enormous potential as a track and road cycling star.

“It is such an honour to be here in Bahrain receiving the Best Female Summer Para Athlete Award.

“I’m incredibly grateful for all the people who have come along with me on my journey as an athlete – I could not have got to this point in my career alone,” she said.

“Competing on the international stage can be a whirlwind, so I appreciate this chance to pause, reflect on the past season, and celebrate my achievements.

“How cool to be acknowledged alongside fellow Kiwi Rebecca Foulsham for the amazing work she does as a volunteer. I can’t wait for the next round in the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.”

Murray is still coming to grips with the accolade and is looking forward to a big summer season which will involve plenty of riding as preparation for Paris increases.

Murray, who resides in Ōtorohanga, stormed to global success in 2022 seizing two world titles on the track, as well as three other world championships medals, two of which were earned on the road.

Her coach, Damian Wiseman, feels the award is well deserved.

“Nicole had an incredible 2022 season. With five world championships medals in 2022, the most of any female C5 athlete, she was the only C5 woman to win more than one world title (across road and track). Simply put, she has proven herself the most consistent and successful C5 female athlete in 2022. It really shows how much her hard work and dedication has elevated her performances within the women’s C5 field. She is now the athlete to beat.”

The results placed Murray second in road and first on the track globally for C5 women. She has since followed this up by blitzing to another world championship title in 2023.

Paralympics New Zealand chief executive officer Greg Warnecke said this recognition was one of many reasons Kiwis should be excited to follow Paralympians and Para athletes as they headed towards Paris 2024.

“Nicole is a phenomenally talented athlete, and thoroughly deserving of this global award. From a wider perspective, I am thrilled about the impact this will have. The power of performances like Nicole’s transform lives. They inspire people to get involved in para sport, whether that’s as a fan, as a volunteer, as a commercial partner, or as a competitor.

“Nicole’s success is indicative of the strength of para sporting talent in New Zealand. This winter, we’ve seen Kiwi World Champions named in para athletics, para swimming and para cycling. The Paris 2024 Paralympics are going to be an absolutely gripping ride for New Zealand.”

Murray named summer's top female para athlete

Brayden Lindsay

A strong first half helped the King Country Rams to a hard-earned 33-28 victory over Buller at Owen Delany Park in Taupō.

The Rams ran in four first half tries in what was one of their best first-half performances all season.

Despite only winning three games this season and narrowly missing out on a Lochore Cup spot due to countback – Mid Canterbury and Poverty Bay had better points differential letting them finish higher – they were two teams the side never played this season along with North Otago.

Kudos needs to be given to the King Country Rams as they have stayed true to what they’ve been preaching all season by picking local players.

Other Heartland provinces around the region will bring in players from unions before the end of June to fit in line with the loan player deadline, however, King Country are giving their players in the King Country club rugby competition, the chance to represent their province.

This year, the Aarin Dunster-coached side used only two loan players in first five, Quinn Collard and lock Eli Winders, both of whom added plenty to the side.

While results may not have been the best this year with just three wins over Whanganui, Buller and Horowhenua Kapiti, the team has shown they can match it with anyone on their day.

Whanganui finished second so to beat them at home would no doubt be the season’s highlight.

The emergence of several players who have stepped up from club level has been another positive.

If the players stay committed to the province, after a couple of years success will come their way. The more Heartland rugby the players play, the better they will be.

In the first half, King Country played with a strong wind at their backs and made the most of it with four first half tries.

Buller dominated the opening 10 minutes; however, King Country opened the proceedings with a try in the corner on the back of some strong build up play from King Country with several players getting across the advantage line.

Piopio prop Piahana Astle-Harris powered his way across the line to score King Country’s second try under the post, which Collard converted.

King Country’s third try was one of their best this season as they spread the ball from the restart and winger Josevata Malimole blitzed his opposite before throwing a pass inside to centre Logan Patterson who raced 30 metres to score.

At 19-0 ahead after 22 minutes, King Country was well on top and looked in control.

Buller replied through veteran winger Iliesa Tora, making the score 19-7.

The visitors continued to get momentum as King Country went through a period of drifting in and out of play.

Buller dotted down again through number 8 George Reeves, who did his best Will Jordan impersonation with a diving finish.

Captain Liam Rowlands scored King Country’s bonus point try, which came off the back of an outstanding driving maul.

Ten minutes into the second half, Malimole made another searing break, which saw Kaleb Foote finish it off to put the Rams ahead, 33-14.

Buller scored two consolation tries but they weren’t enough to deny King Country a third win.

Astle-Harris had one of his best games in the Rams jumper, while Foote and Karney Dunster were also outstanding.

Tipping distributed the ball well from halfback, while Malimole shone whenever he was given space.

Centre Patterson was another standout, while first five Robinson showed his potential with a strong display.

Reeves, hooker Leopino Maupese, lock Caleb Havili and halfback Brett Cutbush were the best of the visitors.

Standout performances across the eight round robin matches should have the likes of Rowlands, Foote, Dunster and Tamaki Kopa in line for New Zealand Heartland selection.

Meanwhile, the King Country schoolgirls finished their season on a positive note, defeating Taranaki under-18 girls, 38-15 to finish their season fourth in a six-team competition.

Rams finish Heartland season with victory

It’s been a season to remember for the King Country Trailblazers.

The women’s rugby team equivalent of the King Country Rams has made every post a winner in 2023, taking out the inaugural Women’s North Island Heartland Competition last Saturday.

It produced a Herculean effort against a strong Whanganui side as they held on for a 19-14 victory to be crowned champions.

Coach Wayne Fraser said it was a real team effort, from the management all the way through to the players and the support staff and injured personnel, who all helped make victory possible.

“We went out and scored some good tries early but, as we expected, Whanganui really came back at us especially in the second half and it took some outstanding defence from the ladies to help the team get across the line.”

He said the match was similar to their battle in Whanganui a few weeks back.

“We got out to lead then they managed to come back late and defeat us in that contest, so we were eager to get one back on them. It was a thrilling game and fitting for a final.”

Last year, the team had a few games, however, a group of rugby development officers from Heartland unions came together and planned a programme for this year, one which got Fraser’s seal of approval.

“They did a fantastic job, they really did. It was a great tournament and we really enjoyed coming up against some other Heartland teams.”

King Country’s player pool is limited with just two teams providing the players, with most of the other unions having more club teams to pick from.

Waitete and Tongariro are aligned to the area but Ōtorohanga, who play in the Waikato competition, were deemed ineligible.

“We laid the foundations right at the start to the ladies about what we wanted, and they were keen to be part of it and worked incredibly hard to make sure they were attending trainings and giving full commitment to the team.”

Former Black Fern Karli Faneva turned out for the King Country side this season and Fraser said she made a massive difference.

Fraser planted the seed with Faneva last year when she was helping the team as she recovered from a serious injury, and she took up the opportunity this year.

“She dominated every week. It was great having her in the squad this season because she passed on a lot of experience having played at the top level. We hope to have her again next season, but we will just have to see with her rugby journey and what unfolds.

“We had some good experience in the squad and the ladies all showed their wares and led from the front.”

Faneva was named in the tournament team and was the tournament’s joint winner for most valuable player alongside Wairarapa Bush’s Kate Donald.

Fraser said he hoped to be involved with the side again in some capacity in 2024 and enjoyed the challenge in front of him.

In the North Island Heartland Competition, they came up against Poverty Bay, Ngāti Porou East Coast, Wairarapa Bush, Whanganui and Thames Valley.

Meanwhile, the Rams fell to their sixth loss of the Heartland Championship with a 29-11 defeat to Ngāti Porou East Coast.

It’s slim, but there’s still a chance the side can make the Lochore Cup semi-finals with victory over Buller at home on Saturday.

Trailblazers take out thriller

Tries, tackles, bump-offs, storming runs, teamwork – last weekend’s Aotearoa NZ Māori Rugby League Tournament was a real winner in Whakatāne.

Ninety-six teams and more than 2000 tamariki, coupled with a few thousand spectators, gathered at Rugby Park, Whakatāne High School and Rex Morpeth Park for two impressive days of action in what is likely to be the biggest sporting event held in Whakatāne.

Josh Morgan wanted to give children in the King Country something more to do and despite it only being formed around six weeks ago, the side was impressive, winning most of their matches in the lead up and at tournament.

“It has been missing for a little while and we thought, ‘why not get involved again?’ I saw a lot of talent in the King Country and the reason I wanted to be part of this awesome kaupapa is because there are so many opportunities in league now.

“The pathways, the scouts, they all come and have a look now.”

Their Ngāti Maniapoto under-10 team featured players from Ōtorohanga, Te Kūiti and Te Awamutu, with some as young as 8.

“There are a lot of local names in there: Koroheke, Te Whare, Rata, Van der Heyden and others, all good local names.

“It’s the biggest tournament in the country for our tamariki for league. It’s just a participation one but Maniapoto has been lacking for a few  years and our president Toni Morgan bought it back to life.

“I contacted her saying I was keen to put a team in and she said go for it, and now we have four or five teams here.”

There was another King Country team from Benneydale and the surrounding areas, while the other Maniapoto teams were mainly of players from outside the region.

Morgan was incredibly thankful to the five sponsors who jumped on board to help the team get across to Whakatāne.

“Without them we wouldn’t have got there.”

Morgan was incredibly proud of the kids and how much they had improved since the first training.

“They’ve come on so much. We entered a tournament in Tokoroa, and we dominated. We played three games against some teams that are here, and they didn’t even score a try against us.

“Some of the kids come from incredibly talented families and all of them play rugby or touch as well so they have the ball skills.”

At the tournament they played the likes of Counties, Rotorua’s Pikiao and Taranaki on day one, before facing a couple of other teams and Taranaki again on day two.

“I wanted to bring the boys here because I got introduced to Māori league when I was 20 and I just wanted the boys to be part of it.

“Hopefully over the years we can get a strong base and just keep building from there.”

Having the league around creates another pathway and opportunity for the youngsters.

Morgan said they would be back next year hoping to be bigger and better, with the hope of starting a junior league side in the King Country in 2024 or 2025.

League tournament awesome opportunity for tamariki

If the King Country Rams want to make the playoffs, the next couple of weeks are crucial.

The Rams kept their Lochore Cup chances alive with a hard-earned 31-27 victory over Horowhenua Kapiti at Rugby Park to move to ninth in the standings.

A strong start set the platform for the victory, which was crucial to keeping the Rams season alive.

It was a King Country side that featured some reinforcements after a few injuries were sustained against Wairarapa Bush the weekend prior.

The race for a spot in the Lochore Cup semi-finals is an interesting one as Mid Canterbury sits one place above them in eighth spot, although they face unbeaten South Canterbury, while King Country in ninth have a difficult task with a trip to Whakarua Park in Ruatoria where they will tackle Ngāti Porou East Coast.

Coach Aarin Dunster said it was good to get a victory in what was a tough contest.

“I was pleased with how we started. We started really well and scored some good tries but then we let them back into the match with some soft play. However, the guys stood up and we held on for the victory.”

King Country’s victory was again set up by starring performances from key players like Oliver Foote, loose forwards Leveson Gower, Karney Dunster and Kaleb Foote, while locking duo Bradly Jeffries and Eli Winders powered through a ton of work.

“Oli’s great. He’s got a bit of x-factor about him and can really spark things for us. Mosese ([Baravilala] and Logan [Patterson] both returned from injury for us, and it was great to get them out on the park. I thought they did well, being thrown in there.”

Dunster said there were a few niggles, which would be monitored at training tonight, but he hoped to have outside back Zah Wickham Darlington back in the 23 this weekend.

“East Coast are a tough side especially having to go up there and play them at home. It’s definitely not going to be easy, however, we know what is required; we need to go up there and win.”

Last year, King Country outclassed East Coast at Rugby Park in Te Kūiti and they will be hoping for much the same on Saturday.

“We know what we need to do when we go over there.”

Quinn Collard’s kicking game was strong against Horowhenua Kapiti as he found plenty of space in behind the Horowhenua defence.

Midfielder Logan Patterson on debut, went close to scoring early on but was held up over the line.

King Country’s first try came after five minutes through winger Baven Brown Jr, who finished off some good backline play.

Lock Eli Winders powered across the line to score King Country’s second try.

Some twinkle toes by Oliver Foote, who made a jinking run back in field saw King Country score their third try through Liam Rowlands.

At 19-0, it looked as if it would be all one-way traffic as King Country dominated proceedings.

A harsh yellow card to fullback Foote saw King Country defending with 14 for the next 10 minutes and Horowhenua Kapiti finally replied with a well-taken try out wide.

King Country failed to take a poor high kick and it allowed Horowhenua Kapiti to grab the ball and race away to score, making it 19-12.

Baven Brown Jr, who was outstanding throughout, set up King Country’s fourth try with a slicing break and offload to Rowlands, who grabbed his second try making it 24-12 to the home side at halftime.

Horowhenua scored early in the second half to reduce the deficit to 7.

They scored again to make it 24-22 and looked as if they would overcome King Country.

Winger Chedyn Mani showed some silky foot work to sneak over out wide, with Collard nailing the conversion. Horowhenua Kapiti scored a late try but it wasn’t enough as the Rams picked up a confidence-boosting win.

Saturday’s contest in Ruatoria kicks off at 2.30pm.

King Country Trailblazers, the women’s side, are through to the final of the North Island Women’s Heartland Competition following a 37-27 win over Thames Valley.

Former Black Fern Karli Faneva was a standout and got through a mountain of work. She currently leads the MVP standings with 10 points.

They face Whanganui in the decider.

Meanwhile, it was a tough weekend for King Country’s age grade sides as they all suffered defeats.

The under-19s and under-16s lost to New Zealand Harlequin teams, while the Secondary School Girls were beaten by the Bay of Plenty under-18 girls but showed some real fight

Lochore Cup still remains a possibility for Rams

TE KŪITI High School was a kapa haka paradise last Friday when it hosted this year’s Waiwaia festival.

The hui taurima is officially called the Maniapoto Secondary Schools’ Cultural Festival 2023.

Each kura involved put in weeks of dedicated practice and noho marae (overnight stays at marae) ahead of the big day.

As part of the opening, which included whaikōrero (speeches) and karakia by local speakers, Te Kūiti High School welcomed the manuhiri (guests) with a haka pōwhiri. Manuhiri and tangata whenua (guests and home people) included a who’s who of kaumātua from around the rohe.

The schools performing were Ōtorohanga College, Te Awamutu Intermediate, Te Wharekura o Maniapoto, Te Awamutu College, Te Wharekura o Ngā Purapura o Te Aroha (a Te Awamutu reo Māori immersion school), Piopio College and Te Kūiti High School.

Stella Stewart, TKHS deputy principal hauora, kaiako reo Māori and kapa haka tutor – was thrilled with how the day turned out.

“It was amazing. We haven’t held the kaupapa for three years, due to Covid. And overall, it went really well.”

Stella thanked fellow kaiako reo Māori and kapa haka tutor Te Oranga Anderson for her hard work as the main project manager.

“She did a wonderful job managing a lot of different jobs for the day.”

A lot of mahi went into making Waiwaia a success, she said.

“Other staff were pitching in throughout the whole week, cleaning and dressing up the stage, and to beautify the school.” Students helped to set up the tents and helped out with the kaumātua room.

She herself spent the day getting ready with the Te Kūiti students, in a separate pavillion.

“I felt a bit of FOMO [fear of missing our] staying in the pavilion, looking out and seeing all the different schools here. But we focused on our team for the day – our main job was to perform well.”

It was the first time Te Awamutu Intermediate had performed, Stella said – and the school told her afterwards how welcome they felt.

She is proud of the school’s manaakitanga or hospitality.

“A lot of people are raving about how it brought the community into the school – it was a bit of a carnival going on.”

Year 13 student Nicholas Dave was part of the TKHS rōpū, or group.

He said he appreciated his cousins coming down from Auckland to watch – alongside many who had supported him.

“They were hyping me up – pretty proud of me too. I’m sad that I missed out on watching my cousin’s performance, from Ōto – but we were in the pavilion all the time.”

His cousins are from the Cook Islands and Niue, and they’d hoped to give him a money lei – but this didn’t fit into the Māori cultural format “so they just gave me money instead.”

Nicholas’ favourite piece was the haka Te Kūititanga, composed by Layelin Stewart.

“It was basically around our school motto – Kia Hiwa Rā, or always prepared. First part, it’s a haka so I like that. My favourite thing is yelling it out and being really loud, because I like being loud.

“And also some of the words, like the line, ‘He kohurū, he kahika, nō te ata o Motukiora’, or ‘a sapling rising from the shadows of Motukiora’ in English.”

It was a reference to the shadow cast by the local maunga just after dawn, as the sun started to shine over the hills, fellow year 13 student, cousin and kaikōrero Kauri Calvert said.

There were many “behind meanings” contained within the small sentence, he said.

Both students also liked Mamae Ngau Kino, a waiata about yearning and grieving for those who had gone.

“You feel that hurt and mamae in your heart,” Stella said. It was composed by Arana Hughes.

Kauri’s highlight was giving the whaikōrero (oratory) – part prepared material, and part speaking from the heart.

“Speak what you think is going to grab peoples’ attention. That’s how you should speak. If you speak like you’re not going to grab their attention, you won’t,” Kauri said.

For those who don’t know much about whaikōrero, it is the Māori art of oratory. More specifically, in Kauri’s words, its purpose is:

“To honour those traditions and values which are most important – our atua, our gods, our tūpuna, the dead, and of course everyone gathered there.

“It was a formal speech of thanking everyone and making sure that nobody is missed out on that list. That’s the importance of whaikōrero.”

He said he was lucky to belong to Te Ahoroa marae at Rangitoto, where rangatahi were encouraged to speak on the paepae if they were capable and comfortable with it.

Both students agreed the bracket by TKHS had been a success.

“When we got on stage the hall was packed, which was great,” Kauri said.

They both enjoyed wearing ta moko – in this case, hand drawn individually with Vivid by their kapa haka tutors. Kauri’s took an hour, he said, while Nicholas’ was more straightforward.

Stella said she and Matua Layelin were proud of the rōpū.

“They did a wonderful job – absolutely phenomenal.”

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King Country News and App is owned by the Beacon Media Group based in Whakatane. We are one of the few family-owned news media groups remaining in New Zealand, and are members of both the News Publishers Association, and the Community Newspapers Association.