Date: Held on the 3^rd January every year

The kaupapa of the Ngāti Porou Pa Wars is to;

• Create a fun, relaxed and safe environment for whanau (mokopuna, tamariki, matua and tipuna) to play together
• Strengthen our whanaungatanga as Ngāti Porou
• Promote healthy lifestyle practices
• Fundraise for our marae whilst capitalising on friendly inter-marae rivalry
• Run off some of the Christmas / New Year excesses
• Increase Ngāti Porou whanau and hapu participation in sports and recreation activities.

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Since 1995, the Ngāti Porou Inter Marae Sports Festival has been a much-anticipated annual event on the Ngati Porou calendar. Te Runanganui o Ngāti Porou organises the event in cooperation with a host community. More commonly known as ‘Pa Wars,’ the festival attracts representation from Ngati Porou marae, each fielding competitors across various events. Over the course of the day, an estimated 3,500–4,000 people attend, eager to engage in some friendly inter-marae rivalry and celebrate the spirit of whanaungatanga. Some whanau even arrive as early as 6 a.m. to claim prime spots for their marae!
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With titles for the fastest, smartest and strongest always hotly contested, bragging rights are well shared amongst the marae. Ngāti Porou, near and far, eagerly await the return of Pā Wars each year, ready for another round of fierce but friendly competition, whakawhanaungatanga, and celebration.