2021 Aotearoa Māori Titles Cancelled due to Covid 19 restrictions
This coming labour weekend Northland was set to host Aotearoa’s top Māori surfers.
The 2021 Aotearoa Māori Surfing Titles was to be held at Ahipara with the two-day event commencing on Saturday. However unfortunately Covid 19 has made a return to our shores in the form of the delta variant and a nationwide lockdown the result. As regions go in and out of lockdown and the highly contagious delta variant runs riot through communities, the organising committee has made the decision to cancel the 2021 Aotearoa Maori Surfing Titles in consultation with the hau kainga, putting the health and safety of everyone near and far first.
The lure of good Northland waves always attracts a large field of surfers across the eleven divisions being contested, all manuhiri looking to make the most of the long weekend and northern manaakitanga.
A total of 21 Iwi would usually be represented at the event all working toward the Iwi of Origin title currently held by Te Atiawa. The Maori Titles has a unique feel to it with a mix of top New Zealand surfers as well as many who focus their attention on Labour weekend as the only time, they pull on a coloured jersey in competition.
Divisions range from Under 14 Boys and Girls through to Over 45 Men plus longboarding and standup paddleboarding. Families and friends attend the event as a celebration of surfing with the Friday evening powhiri setting the kaupapa for the long weekend.
Although this year’s competition has been another victim of covid you can be assured the event will be back bigger and better in 2022 in Northland.
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