February 18, 2025

Māori Queen opens first Tainui Games as Arikinui

Atereano Mateariki Posted On February 18, 2025

Waikato Tainui

Te Arikinui Kuini Ngawai Hono i te Pō opened her first He Kohikohinga, Tainui Games, as Arikinui.

Over the weekend, the biennial event brought together uri from 57 marae across the region to participate in a diverse range of 21 sports and activities, including touch rugby, netball, basketball, surfing, waka ama, and chess.

The primary focus of the event is on whakawhanaungatanga and manaakitanga, fostering a sense of community and togetherness among the various marae of Tainui whānui.

The top three marae in this year’s games were Te Papa o Rotu marae in Whatawhata, Waahi Paa in Rāhui Pōkeka and overall winner Te Kauri marae, also from Rāhui Pōkeka.