1 Oct 2013

Ngati Rangi to host iwi skiing champs

6:35 am on 1 October 2013

Ruapehu iwi Ngati Rangi is hosting the first-ever Aotearoa Iwi snow championships.

The Central Plateau tribe says it's excited to hold the inaugural competition and has invited all iwi throughout New Zealand to compete at the Turoa ski area on Mount Ruapehu.

Ngati Rangi Trust pouarahi (manager) Che Wilson says his iwi wanted to provide an opportunity for Maori skiers to come together and have fun on the snow.

He says the iwi already has a tribal snow academy and Ngati Rangi was looking for a way to develop that and created the new event which will have events for primary, secondary and open competitors.

Mr Wilson says the difference with this skiing event is that Maori protocol will be followed, with karakia (prayers).

Ngati Rangi also want to arrange an activity that promotes healthy exercise and to celebrate their relationship with Koro Ruapehu, he says.

The three-day event, starting on 13 October, will begin with the sound of the pukaea, or traditional wooden trumpet, which is named after the highest peak on Mt Ruapehu, Tahurangi.