The next morning, following an early start to get our marae ship-shape, a kawe mate ceremony was held to bring in whānau photographs, which were to be hung in our marae. Befittingly, there was a light rain to bring our whanauka home, such a wonderful and moving homecoming. Ki a koutou i hoki atu ki te wā kāika, moe mai koutou i te rakimārie.
The light rain turned into harder rain and it set in for the day. The Bruce Bay Sports Day continued regardless and there was an excellent turn out. There was some fierce competition in the chopping and other competitive events, excellent baking, kai, stalls, raffles and company.
The weather did put a dampener on our plans for the kids’ events, with rain affecting all of the planned traditional races. With much of the schedule unable to proceed, it took some quick thinking and a little ingenuity to keep the kids occupied for the full three hours, in a side tent they had erected for the evening event.
Musical chairs, a chocolate eating competition with a knife and fork, nail driving competition and a dart throwing competition kept them entertained and they finished off with a lolly scramble.
Tamariki patiently wait to have a turn at throwing darts.
Tamariki during the nail driving competition.