Bombing competition “frees the manu”

They came, they bombed, they cheered, they played … it was all go at the Havelock North Village Green and pool yesterday [Sunday, November 27] at the Mai Manu bombing competition.

Held to find Hastings’ Manu Bomb Master, there were plenty of contenders giving it a go – both taking part in the competition and also between heats.

And, across the way, the Village Green was teeming with activities and kids enjoying the playground.

Manu enthusiast and competition instigator Peleti Oli declared it a huge success.

“At the end of the day I had people coming up to me with their kids saying they had had so much fun. It was testament to the kaupapa of ‘free the manu’ - the essence of it being creating a safe space for kids to do manus, and though some were a bit shy to enter the competition itself, everyone had a really great time.”

He gave a shout-out to all the organisers, supporters and sponsors who got behind the event to make it the success it was.

In front of judges Hads Te Huia (the head judge and New Zealand bombing ambassador), HB Magpies Joel Hintz and Frank Lochore, and Peleti, with Randy from Mai FM on MC duties, up to 100 people took part in the competition, with plenty of people on the sidelines cheering them on.

They competed in three different categories: Junior (8 to 13 years), Senior (14-17 years), and Master (18+ years), and first, second and third prizes were handed out in each category with prizes donated by the generous sponsors.

The competitors, mostly male but with some females in the mix, were mainly Hastings locals, but two came from Gisborne to compete and invited Peleti to attend a bombing competition they were running there.

“I hope to reach out to some of those who took part at the weekend and see if they would like to form a Hawke’s Bay bombing squad to compete in Gisborne.”

Meanwhile, all-day family entertainment was provided at the Village Green, including a kids’ splash zone, colouring competition, bouncy castles, food trucks, bubble machine and the very popular Te Waka Tākaro Play Trailer full of games and activities.

Results:

Junior Grade

• 1^st – Stanton Ropiha
• 2^nd – Lucas Holloway
• 3^rd – Boyden O’Donnell
•  

Seniors Grade

• 1^st – Tiake Flutey
• 2^nd – Bozz Renata
• 3^rd – Fabian Renata

Masters Grade

• 1^st – Alex Dickey
• 2^nd – Jesse Rahui
• 3^rd – Luke Tihema

 Throughout the day, a fundraiser was running for Movember, with just over $300 collected for the cause.

The competition also marks the opening for the season of the outdoor pools at Havelock North and Frimley.

28 November 2022

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