11/07/2026
MATARIKI HUNGA NUI
Thank you to all that came out to the Club yesterday for the second Māori Matariki Open.
It might not have been what was planned, and definitely wasn’t the day we wanted, but what turned out was a beautiful celebration of the new year and showcased the best of our members and our golfing community coming and spending the day together, remembering the year we’ve had and the ones we’ve lost and looking upward for the year to come with good vibes and a whole lot of love.
Thank you again to our sponsors, without whom we would not have been able to have a day at all.
Turanga Health New Zealand Māori Golf Association Toa build Pupuke Golf Club, Skylah Pohatu Whiti Ora Tairāwhiti and the others we can’t tag. Sponsor board with full list in the pictures. Thank you for your continued support of our club and the game.
Special acknowledgements to our own;
Tommy and crew for our course, amazing mahi our bro, and thanks for getting us out there.
Mike, Ash, Frances, and the rest of the hangi prep/kitchen team, from sorting pigs and sheep to digging holes in the rain to baking up its own storm you guys got it done. We can have matariki without the golf but we can’t do it without a proper kai. Amazed and thankful always.
Naere, Becky, Kwon and Tony for our bar, keeping us all safe and getting us home. The real MVPs.
We had 64 in the field, with only two people taking the 9hole option, and >100 being there come Kai time. With no carts and big puddles on the course, to watch some of our oldies and medically cart bound players get out there and walk 18 was nothing short of inspiring. And despite the conditions, some good scores came in across the board.
With 11 of the 28 registered teams still eligible for the team format, we acknowledge their commitment to the kaupapa and give more practice to the format we created to bind our community and grow the game.
Congratulations to THE BIG M, Cheese, Waats, Dom and Kennedy, our 2026 team winners.
As we look to Māori Nationals in Hawke’s Bay January 4th 2027, we are super proud to present free entries to;
Men’s Gross Winner Wi Brown 70
Women’s Nett Winner Frances Tupara 72
Junior Gross Winner Watene Brown 80
Full results to be posted in the pictures when they get typed up.
If you have pics send them through and we’ll add to this post.
The mutton bird raffle didn’t quite sell, so we will aim to draw it Sunday 19th July whether it is sold or not. Send a message if you want a ticket.
Thank you again to everyone for coming, and hopefully we will see you June 25th 2027 where we will manifest some sun
