Programme Overview

Turangawaewae Rugby League Sports and Cultural Club was established in 1947. The connection between the Kiingitanga, Turangawaewae Marae, and Turangawaewae Rugby League Club, is unique. Kīngi Koroki, Te Arikinui Te Atairangikaahu and Kīngi Tūheitia Potatau Te Wherowhero te tuangāhuru mā whitu, were or remain strong supporters of Turangawaewae Rugby League Sport and Culture Club and Taniwharau Rugby League Clubs. The connection to the Kīngitanga ultimately begins with whakapapa and people - when you compare the names of the marae whānau with the names of the club whānau, they are same. However, for the whānau that have always been associated with the Club, the priority was to complete the mahi required to support the Marae, to uphold the Kīngitanga, and football and other sports, came second. The name of our Club came from our Marae and with permission to use this was requested by the Kāhui Ariki. Due to the tireless work at the marae during hui, it was conceded that the whānau need an outlet for rest and relaxation to be able to recuperate and revitalise themselves, through physical activity and the sharing of the ‘odd beverage’ after the work was done. The values of manaakitanga, mahia te mahi and whānaungatanga were principles of the marae that were carried over to the club, as a natural progression. Also included is our member’s staunch practice of tikanga. Koroneihana is but one example of this connection, which still holds relevance today. From the recollections of George and Teeny Tukere, in the early days our members were not permitted to participate in sport or cultural activities during Koroneihana, because cooking, cleaning and other tasks involved with catering for the needs of the hordes of attendees, took precedence. However, according to George, that didn’t stop lots of the whānau sneaking away to watch the feature match for the Tonga Mahuta Shield. Our fit and strong players also played a key role in the early days of preparation for the annual regatta celebrations held at the marae, on the banks of our tupuna awa. Prior to using cranes to lift our waka in and out of the water, our senior rugby league teams sometimes turned up for training only to be sent down to the awa to do this tasks. Inevitability, our players also traded football boots, for paddles and many are kaihoe on those waka taua. In recent times, another memorable example of importance of Turangawaewae Rugby League Sport and Culture Club and Taniwharau Rugby League Clubs to the Kīngitanga came in 2006, when the clubs worked in unison to assist in carrying our Lady up Taupiri Kuao, to her final resting place. Turangawaewae Rugby League Sport and Culture Club will continue to be loyal to the Kīngitanga and to the Marae.