The people of Mauke celebrated Christmas with a week of festivities, including traditional sports, netball, touch rugby, volleyball, a night market and a string band competition, culminating in a fireworks display last night. Nicolea Mateariki reports.

Mauke kicked off its Christmas celebrations last Saturday with exciting sporting activities organised by their Member of Parliament, Stephen Matapo, and his wife, Tina Matapo, in collaboration with Aunty Nane Papa and the Mauke Enua Sports Association.

Traditional sports were held on Saturday with a list of activities including Oro Taonga (carrying coconuts tied to a stick on the shoulders), Kake Rore (stilts race), Tupakere (juggling lime), Rere Pute (sack race), Ranga’ranga (weaving) and U’uti taura (tug of war).

The teams were divided among the three villages on Mauke – Areora, Ngatiarua and Kimiangatau.

Mauke kicked off its Christmas celebrations last Saturday with exciting sporting activities. The teams were divided among the three villages on Mauke – Areora, Ngatiarua and Kimiangatau. SUPPLIED/24122717

Following traditional sports, netball competition was held on Monday at the Kimiangatau Netball Courts.

On Tuesday, an intense match of touch rugby was played at the Toianga Football Field.

For Christmas Day, the people of Akatokamanava took the day off and attended church services in the morning, before taking part in the annual Raoni Christmas and New Year’s tradition.

There are two main villages on Mauke, Kimiangatau and Oiretumu, and they take turns to host Christmas and New Year’s celebrations each year.

This Christmas, Oiretumu hosted Kimiangatau, with tables laden with delicious meals and drinks to welcome their guests.

On New Year’s Day, it is vice versa where the village who was invited as guest on Christmas Day will be hosting on New Year’s Day.

Kake Rore (stilts race) was one of the traditional games held on Saturday. SUPPLIED/24122720

Sports activities continued on Boxing Day with a game of volleyball, which was relocated due to the weather conditions.

The organisers were able to set up on the fields instead of the hardcourt, making it a little challenging for the teams and players but also adding a bit of fun.

The finale activities kicked off last night with a night market, a string band competition and a prize-giving ceremony to announce the overall winning village. The evening concluded with a fireworks display.