GOLF

 

 

Overview | tirohanga whanui

n excerpt adapted from the 1982 magazine article by the late W.W. Marsh and updated at regular intervals by NZMGA National Secretary)- “The earliest evidence of Maori Golf that has been discovered dates back to the 1800’s. Balls were hit off mud-heaped up tees using the clubs fashioned from Manuka and gorse. No knickerbockers or fancy skirts for the players, merely tartan blankets, used as rapaki by the males, korowai for the females. No shopping at the Warehouse for bargain golf shoes either – bare feet were the order of the day. Fifty years later, at Waiohiki, Napier the first Maori tournament was held. Mr Kurupo Tareha Patron, H.M. Tatere Secretary and Turi Carroll President, were the first office bearers and were elected at the inaugural meeting held in 1930.

 

 

The committee consisted of P. Keiha, S. Ropata, J. Hape, W.T. Kuru, J. Carroll, R. Halbert, W. Desha, A. Whitiwhiti, W. Paraha and Rev. Wharetini Rangi. The following year the New Zealand Maori Golf Association was established. Records of those very early days are unavailable there one can only speculate on the number of participants and the interest shown in the game. However, given the climate of the golfing fraternity at the time, we can assume that the number of golfers in the field in those days were much smaller. Without the modern means of transport, going from one venue to another had its drawbacks – imagine travelling from the far north to Wellington on a horse-drawn buggy or a Model T! It would be pretty hard to justify a month off work to play golf for one week! Apart from travel Maori were not as welcome on the golf links as they are today, and worse still, young players were not encouraged – a trend which continued evening during the 1950’s and 60’s.

 

 

Waiohiki, Wairoa, Dannevirke, Hastings, Gisborne and Wanganui held the tournament alternatively for the first 14 years and in 1952 Rotorua joined the circuit. Taumaranui, Hamilton Otaki, Te Awamutu, Whakatane, Papatoetoe, Pukekohe, Feilding, New Plymouth, Taihape, Mt Maunganui, Waitomo, Christchurch, Taupo, Whangarei, Nelson, Masterton, Waitangi, Wellington, Taranaki, North Harbour and the Eastern Bay of Plenty have all been hosts to this grand event.

 

 

The first Maori men’s golf champion in 1932 was Adam Kawhe. Kapi Tareha won in 1933-34, W.T. Kuru (Waipukurau) 1935, 37, 39. Tori Jones (King Country) in 1947, 49, 50, 52. Ben Whitiwhiti in 1954-55. Then along came another hot shot from the King Country Trevor Ormsby who has won the title 8 times – 1959-60, 63-67, 76. D. Gray 1970, T. Marsh 1970, 82. B Ogilvy in 1979, 85. Philip Tataurangi 1988, 90, 92. The first woman to hold the title was Mrs T Tareha, followed in 1933 and 35 by Mrs Kuru Tareha. Mrs J Hape in 1936, 37, 39, 50. W. Bennett 1947, 49. Miss Frances Pere in 1970-71, 73-74. Raina Hokianga in 1977, 80-81.

 

 

The ladies equivalent to Trevor Ormsby can in the form of Polly King, who has held the title an amazing 8 times from 1982-86, 90, 93. The first of the young guns won her first title at the tender age of 14. Wiki Shailer took the title in 1995 and again at Taupo in 2000. Another young promising golfer, who is currently a member of the NZMGA Executive, Aroha Tito, won her first title in 1996 and again in 1999.

 

 

Walter Godfrey represented this country on a number of occasions but turned down a trip to South Africa when he was elected for N.Z. in the World Amateur team in the early 1960’s. He later turned profession. Philip Tataurangi and Michael Campbell a titleholder in 1991, have both become professional golfers, Michael winning the US Open in 2005 and receiving the prestigious awards of New Zealand Sportsperson of the Year 2006 and New Zealand ‘Albie Pryor’ Maori Sportsperson of the Year 2005.

 

 

Miss Frances Pere was only 15 when she won the first of her four titles and went on to represent N.Z. in Australia at the age of 18 and the following year at the Commonwealth Championships in England. Similarly Brenda Ormsby has represented NZ on more than one occasion and is currently the resident pro at Springfield. Teria Sandle (nee Te Riini) 2006 at the age of 15 became the holder of women’s course records at Levin, Kawerau and Te Teko Golf courses.

 

 

Maori Golf Tournaments are a platform for many young golfers to display their talents and launch their careers. However, let us not forget that apart from all the young, supple and talented golfers, there are also those who had the dream and those that continue to enjoy the friendship and sense of fun that golf brings. The Masters and Golden Girls are a reminder of those early beginnings and it is they that hold fast to the kaupapa, treasure their Whanaungatanga and thoroughly enjoy renewing the many friendships built during their years on the circuit. Playing on the same course as the Kaumatua is an experience, for instead of hearing anguished sighs when a shot goes astray or a putt is missed, one is treated to great shouts of laughter and Maori humour.

 

 

The late Mr Tom Maniapoto ex-President of the association, once stated; ‘much water has flowed under the bridge since 1930 and no doubt much more will flow in the years to come but I, for one, will treasure all of the many friendships that have been made in the past and no doubt will be made in the future. This is what golf is all about – meeting old friends and making new ones.’

 

 

“In 2006 Patron Te Ao Peehi Kara passed away – New Zealand Maori Golf Assn paid tribute to his memory by holding a tournament in 2007, hosted by Ngati Kahungunu. Rangatahi support has been fostered and promoted well since 2003 by introducing the New Zealand Maori Golf Assn under 19 National tournament – the first 2 tournament being held at the Ballantyne Golf Resort then transferred to Ngaruawahia Golf Club for several years. 2011 saw the tournament held at Te Awamutu Golf Club, and it is intended to synchronise the tournament with where the national championships are held in that year. The tournament is growing in stature and whanau support. NZMGA thank those hosting rohe for their support of this tournament.

 

The illustrious complete list of Past Champions is hereby noted:

 

 

PAST CHAMPIONS LIST

1932 – 2014

 

Tau     Tane     Wahine      Rohe

 

1932  A Kawhe  T Tareha  Waiohiki

 

1933  K Tareha  Kuru Tareha  Wairoa

 

1934  K Tareha  T. Chase  Dannevirke

 

1935  W T Kuru  Kuru Tareha  Waiohiki

 

1936  J Hape  Mrs J Hape  Hastings

 

1937  W T Kuru  Mrs J Hape  Gisborne

 

1938  J W Mapu  A Tareha  Wanganui

 

1939  W T Kuru  Mrs J Hape  Hastings

 

1940-1946  Not held  WW II

 

1947  T P Jones  W Bennett  Waiohiki

 

1948  J Hape  M Peade  Wairoa

 

1949  TP Jones  W Bennett  Waiohiki

 

1950  TP Jones  Mrs J Hape  Dannevirke

 

1951  Z Gray  L Adsett  Wanganui

 

1952  TP Jones  Mrs McCready  Rotorua

 

1953  K August  R Sage  Taumaranu

 

1954  B Whitiwhiti  D Wilkie  Hamilton

 

1955  B Whitiwhiti  P August  Waiohiki

 

1956  M J Phillips  M Kaua  Gisborne

 

1957  D Morrison  M Kaua  Otaki

 

1958  J Chapman  L Sage  Rotorua

 

1959  T Ormbsy  M Kaua  Taumaranui

 

1960  T Ormsby  P August  Te Awamutu

 

1961  W Godfrey  T Lawrence  Whakatane

 

1962  W Godfrey  A Mullany  Waiohiki

 

1963  T Ormsby  P Kidd  Rotorua

 

1964  T Ormsby  Mrs Bainbridge  Papatoetoe

 

1965  T Ormsby  Miss Winterburn  Taumaranui

 

1966  T Ormsby  P August  Dannevirke

 

1967  T Ormsby  K Johnson  Pukekohe

 

1968  J Matahaere  D Blake  Gisborne

 

1969  E La Rosa  L Adsett  Rotorua

 

1970  D Gray  F Pere  Taumaranui

 

1971  D Gray  F Pere  New Plymouth

 

1972  S Kopua  L Adsett  Papatoetoe

 

1973  D Gray  F Pere  Feilding

 

1974  J M Ngatai  F Pere  Taihape

 

1975  W Poka  P Oats  Mt Maunganui

 

1976  T Ormsby  A Pickup  Waitomo

 

1977  T Marsh  R Hokianga  Wanganui

 

1978  J Kupa  A Butler  Christchurch

 

1979  B Ogilvy  H Johnson  Taupo

 

1980  G Wilson  R Hokianga  Waiohiki

 

1981  A Hema  R Hokianga  Gisborne

 

1982  T Marsh  P King  Whangarei

 

1983  R Ogilvy  P King  Nelson

 

1984  P Gadogen  P King  Rotorua

 

1985  B Ogilvy  P King  Masterton

 

1986  M Taiuru  P Kingi  Wellington

 

1987  D Raumati  M Kirby  Whakatane

 

1988  P Tataurangi  L Regnault  Taupo

 

1989  W Mathews  A Waiwai  Te Awamutu

 

1990  P Tataurangi  P King  Rotorua

 

1991  M Campbell  L Regnault  Taupo

 

1992  P Tataurangi  B Ormsby  Rotorua

 

1993  G Nathan  P King  Waitangi

 

1994  J Nathan  A Almond  Wellington

 

1995  B Cribb  W Shailer  Gisborne

 

1996  J Watson  A Tito  Taranaki

 

1997  D Wairepo  T Howard  North Harbour

 

1998  M Hall  C Williams  Whakatane

 

1999  P Morrison  A Tito  Wellington

 

2000  N Davey  W Shailer  Taupo

 

2001  N Davey  W Shailer  Hamilton

 

2002  A Millar  J Cox  Christchurch

 

2003  B Waiwai  A Tito  Rotorua

 

2004  A Reedy  A Gaskill  Wellington

 

2005  B Waiwai  L Eruera  Gisborne

 

2006  M Tumata  T Te Riini  Whakatane

 

2007  M Tumata  M Tulisi  Whangarei

 

2008  A Henare  N Tulisi  Levin

 

2009  M Tautari  K Nicholas  Christchurch

 

2010  H. Puha  K. Chadwick  Napier/Hastings

 

2011  L. Neumann  T. Clay  Te Awamutu

 

2012  H. Puha  K. Chadwick  Rotorua

 

2013  J. Golding  K. Chadwick  Taupo

 

2014  W. Brown  T. Kingi  Omanu

 

2015  N. Cassidy  K. Chadwick  Taupo

 

News | te karere

 

Association name change

 

2013 –Previous name New Zealand Maori Golf Association Inc. changed to Aotearoa Maori Golf Assn Inc.

 

 

Logos

 

 

 

2013 – The newly created kakariki logo created by Mr Richard Garrett – used for the purpose of Marketing and Promotion of the association.

 

The iconic kikorangi logo will continue to maintain its mana – being used for constitutional and legal purposes.

 

Hall of Fame

 

April 2015 – inauguration of the Aotearoa Maori Hall of Fame.

 

Inductees Mr Kapi Tareha Matchplay Winner 1933 and 1934 (posthumously)

 

Mr Kuru TarehaFirst Patron – duration of tenure Unknown (posthumously)

 

Mrs Audrey MullanyMatchplay Winner  1962 (posthumously)

 

Mr Harry NgataiAdministrator 1955 – 1975

 

Mrs Rovina Maniapoto-Anderson  National Secretary 1965 – 1982

 

Mr Trevor OrmsbyMatchplay Winner 1959/60/63/64/75/66/67/76

 

Mrs Pare KingMatchplay Winner 1982/83/84/85/86/90/93

 

2016 –

 

Inductees Mr Tori Jones Matchplay Winner 1947/49/50/52

 

 

Mr James KupaMatchplay Winner 1978

 

Mr Kingi Porima Executive 1982, Vice President 1986-1987, 1992-1994, President 1988. 1995-2000. Patron 2008 – 2013, Kaumaatua 2014 – 2016 +  Administrator 2002 – 2016 +, Life Member.

 

 

Mrs Hohi PorimaLadies Committee 1986-1996, Assistant Secretary 1997,

 

 

Ladies Vice President 2001, Administrator/Starter 2002-2016+. Life Member.

 

 

Mr Pita AnaruAdministrator 1955 – 1975

 

 

2015 WINNERS list

 

TROPHY & DIVISION WINNER NAME

 

Scholarships Inia Logan

 

Manaaki McColl

 

Zane Rangihika

 

Keegan Wiltshire

 

Rangatahi Boys Stableford Winner Louie Love – Parata

 

Rangatahi Boys Nett Winner Ngawhai Te Wiki

 

Rangatahi Girls Nett Winner Jodae Ngaheu

 

Rangatahi Gross Winner Taine Manaena

 

Junior Men Stableford Winner Gareth Edwards

 

Intermediate Men Stableford Winner Lawrence Aspinall

 

Ladies Stableford Winner Rangi Leabourn

 

Senior Men Stableford Winner Tuakana August

 

Golden Girls Stableford Winner Carol Wilson

 

Masters Stableford Winner Noel Gardiner

 

Junior Men Nett Winner Mike Jones

 

Intermediate Men Nett Winner Len Kingi

 

Ladies Nett Winner Debbie Noble

 

Senior Men Nett Winner Haupai Puha

 

Golden Girls Gross Winner Isobel Dick

 

Masters Gross Winner Bill Anderson

 

Junior Men Gross Winner Robert Reihana

 

Intermediate Men Gross Winner Anthony Palmer

 

Golden Girls Ngati Porou Trophy Nett Winner Bessie Wilson

 

Masters Ngati Awa Trophy Nett Winner Joe Taingahue

 

Junior Men Te Ao Peehi Trophy Matchplay Winner Terry Hunt

 

Intermediate Men Rongomaiwahine Trophy Matchplay Winner John Rua

 

Ladies Strokeplay Winner Kate Chadwick

 

Senior Men Tainui Strokeplay Winner Teina Hotene

 

Ladies Te Tai Tokerau Regional Maori Golf Trophy Matchplay Winner Kate Chadwick

 

Senior Men Otautahi Trophy Matchplay Winner Nathaniel Cassidy

 

 

2016 WINNERS list:

 

TROPHY & DIVISION WINNER’S NAME

 

Rangatahi Boys Nett R/U Tuhourangi Wilson

 

Rangatahi Boys Stableford Winner Wilson Simmonds

 

Rangatahi Boys Nett Winner Cosmo Graham

 

Rangatahi Gross Winner Christian Walker

 

Junior Men Stableford Winner Swayde Hau-Tahuri

 

Intermediate Men Stableford Winner David Piahana

 

Ladies Stableford Winner Suzee Watene

 

Senior Men Stableford Winner Oliver Barnsdall

 

Golden Girls Stableford Winner Carol Wilson

 

Masters Stableford Winner Bill Potae

 

Junior Men Nett Winner Zekes Hohaia

 

Intermediate Men Nett Winner Kipa Simon

 

Ladies Nett Winner Mary Lines

 

Senior Men Nett Winner Keegan Wiltshire

 

Golden Girls Gross Winner Susie Jane Hikairo

 

Masters Gross Winner Bill Anderson

 

Junior Men Gross Winner John Tapiata

 

Intermediate Men Gross Winner Dean Scott

 

Golden Girls Ngati Porou Trophy Nett Winner Debbie Wood

 

Masters Ngati Awa Trophy Nett Winner Noel Gardiner

 

Junior Men Te Ao Peehi Trophy Matchplay Winner Terrence Hunt

 

Intermediate Men Rongomaiwahine Trophy Matchplay Winner Tori Van Straalen

 

Ladies Strokeplay Winner Kate Chadwick

 

Senior Men Tainui Strokeplay Winner Teina Hotene

 

Ladies Te Tai Tokerau Regional Maori Golf Trophy Matchplay Winner Te Rongopai Clay

 

Senior Men Otautahi Trophy Matchplay Winner Herewini Hohepa

 

 

Contact | whakapa

National Secretary

P.O. Box 265, KAWERAU 3127

Phone 021 293 0208

Email: pmrangihika@xtra.co.nz

Web: www.nzmga.org

 

Administration | mana whakahaere

Executive Committee: Nga Kaumatua Kingi Porima JP, Dame Iritana Tawhirangi,  – President: Roku Mihinui, Vice President: George Brown,  Jnr Vice President: Crete Wana, Executive members:  Mervyn Waiwai, Terry Rangihaeata, Tom Walters, Aroha Tito, Greg Stebbing

 

Management:   General Manager: John Cribb, National Secretary: Phyllis Rangihika, Financial Administrator: Lee-Anne Clark, Tournament Director: Aroha Tito

 

Auditor:  Nock and Co, Hamilton Solicitor: – (not specified)