Whānau come together for milestone IronMāori
The 16th anniversary of IronMāori, which returned to its roots in being run by Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga this year, brought together thousands of athletes in Hawke’s Bay to celebrate health and wellbeing among whānau.
Fifteen years after the launch of IronMāori, the annual triathlon returned to its roots over a memorable two days in Ahuriri, Napier.
Heather Te Au-Skipworth and Wayne Skipworth founded the only indigenous multisport event in New Zealand in 2009 with the vision of promoting health, wellbeing and longevity, from mokopuna through to kaumātua.
Heather came up with the idea of IronMāori while working as a health coach at Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga, who took over the running of the event this year.
Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga is a family-focused organisation working with whānau to achieve their goals and general wellbeing. It took on the wero (challenge) to progress the event from this year, alongside more than 80 whānau services currently delivered that align with the same vision.
“Over the years, we’ve all watched as IronMāori has gone from strength to strength,” says Mike Paku, Chairperson of Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga.
“It’s taken individuals, whānau, hapū and iwi along for the ride, even across Te Tai-o-Rehua (the Tasman Sea), so we’re happy to keep it here in its ūkaipō, Kahungunu.”
Don’t tough it out, get help
IronMāori began with 300 athletes in the inaugural event but has grown hugely since then, with this year’s event attracting over 2,500 participants.
ACC has supported IronMāori for the past six years and teamed up with Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga to again deliver the event this month.
With ACC driven by our strategy of Huakina Te Rā, Deputy Chief Executive for Strategy, Engagement and Prevention Andy Milne says it’s a natural fit.
Huakina Te Rā is our 10-year strategy. It incorporates our vision, tōnui ake nei, a future where all people, whānau and communities can thrive.
“This is important mahi that brings our Huakina Te Rā strategy to life,” Andy says.
“We want to support whānau to live well and popular community events like IronMāori provide our team with the chance to kōrero and connect with whānau about our services, like rongoā Māori.
“These are great opportunities to raise awareness and build understanding around the help available through ACC and our services that improve access and health outcomes for Māori.”
Our research shows Māori are more likely to experience a serious injury than non-Māori but are less likely to make an injury claim.
Māori clients generally account for 12.5 per cent of new claims volumes annually but account for 16.7 per cent of the population.
“We’re focused on ensuring Māori are aware of the support they’re entitled to following an injury,” Andy says.
“If you’ve had an accident and have an injury, no matter how big, don’t tough it out – taihoa ake and get help. ACC is here for you and your whānau to help you recover and get you back doing what you love.”
ACC on hand to provide support
Andy and other ACC representatives were on hand at IronMāori to assist Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga in running the event, as well as providing support to the athletes and their whānau.
The Whānau Zone was set up by ACC, which provided a shady place to chill, fresh fruit and activities for tamariki.
We also supplied several rongoā Māori (traditional Māori healing) practitioners, who provided free mirimiri and romiromi services to over 60 athletes and whānau.
To celebrate IronMāori returning home, Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga invited Ngā Marae o Heretaunga to mark the occasion by offering free registrations for 10 kaumātua, 10 tamariki or rangatahi and one team to enter the event from each marae.
“This event fits our strategic plan, our values and the Whānau Ora kaupapa,” says Waylyn Tahuri-Whaipakanga, Chief Executive of Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga.
“We could really feel the mauri of the event carried by participants, support crews and organisers alike.”
More IronMāori in store
An Auckland-based IronMāori event will be held in Tāmaki Makaurau on 16 November while the 2025 IronMāori will take place in Napier on 31 October and 1 November.
