ACC supports milestone edition of iconic sports event
We’re proud to continue our support of the IRONMĀORI multi-sport event, which is set to celebrate its 15th anniversary this year, as naming rights sponsor of both the half and quarter triathlon.
Running its first event in 2009, IRONMĀORI was set up to tackle growing issues of ill health amongst the Māori population and is open to all people.
Since then, it’s grown from being a relative unknown on the multi-sport scene to becoming the provider of the largest half and quarter triathlon event in New Zealand.
This year’s edition of the IRONMĀORI Half and Quarter will be held on Saturday 4 November in Napier, Hawke’s Bay.
ACC has supported the IRONMĀORI kaupapa for the past five years as the naming rights sponsor of the half triathlon. For the 15th anniversary this year, ACC Deputy Chief Executive Andy Milne says it felt fitting to also sign on as the IRONMĀORI quarter naming rights sponsor.
Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi representative Te Rangi Huata is pleased to see IRONMĀORI go from humble beginnings to reach its 15th anniversary.
“We’ve been proud to be part of this event since it started and have seen it grow from strength-to-strength as a major health life changer for people who have embraced the swim, bike and run kaupapa,” Te Rangi says.
“IRONMĀORI is a testament to the resilience and determination of the founders to encourage Māori whānau to participate in endurance sports events.”
IRONMĀORI Event in Napier 2022.
Growing in both scale and expertise
IRONMĀORI has undertaken a number of changes over that time but the most noticeable evolution is an increase in participants from 300 in 2009 to 3,000 last year.
Heather Te Au-Skipworth, Founder and Executive Director of IRONMĀORI, says the organisation has not only grown in size but also in experience.
“For our very first IRONMĀORI half event in 2009, we missed the first person coming through the finish line – that’s how green we were,” she recalls with a laugh.
Porirua-based athlete Nick Vaughan won that first event and vividly remembers the day.
“Going into the race, I hadn’t really considered winning as there were far better athletes than me on the start line, like Te Kawa Robb and Kevin Nicholson to name a couple,” he says.
“The day was quite cold and being a bit more solid meant I suited the conditions better. Coming into transition first off the bike and then just seeing everyone out there giving it their all, with those massive smiles on their faces, just helped me to hold on and cross the finish line first.
“I’m sure Heather won’t mind me saying but we still laugh about how the first winner of the IRONMĀORI half had no-one to greet them as they crossed the line,” he laughs.
The return of a youth and elders event
As preparations continue for the 15th anniversary, IRONMĀORI Chief Executive Nikayla Lambert is excited to announce this year we will also include a tamariki, rangatahi and kaumatua event on Friday 3 November, the day before the main event.
“We’ve been unable to host a tamariki, rangatahi and kaumatua event since 2019, due to the global pandemic – it was important for IRONMĀORI to protect our most vulnerable during this unprecedented period,” she explains.
“But for our 15th anniversary there was no doubt in our planning process that our tamariki, rangatahi and kaumatua would be included, as they have been a significant part of the kaupapa over the past 15 years.
“Our Kaumatua event is probably one of my favourite events as they just have the best time, and bring so much energy and enjoyment to the event.”
The tamariki, rangatahi and kaumatua event will look slightly different to previous years though, as it will be only a run/walk event. Registrations for this event will be opening in mid-June, and further details will be available soon on the IRONMĀORI website.
IRONMĀORI Event in Napier 2022.
An unexpected success story
Ambassador and kaumatua representative Waiora Rogers says no one expected IRONMĀORI to take off the way it has.
“The impact of IRONMĀORI within kahungunu over these past 15 years has been phenomenal, 2009 was the start of something big – everybody wanted to be part of it as either an individual or as a team member,” Waiora says.
“We’ll be doing it again this year to celebrate 15 years – a feat that nobody believed would happen. I remember comments such as, ‘It’s a one-off’ or ‘Give it a year’, but here we are. Hopefully, those who did it a few years ago will come back to help us celebrate this auspicious occasion.”
Region set to play welcoming host
Other event changes have included a new location in 2019 but the multi-sport event has remained in Ahuriri (Napier).
Considering what the region has been through with the flooding of recent months, Napier City Council Event Manager Kevin Murphy says its people are looking forward to hosting thousands of participants and supporters once again in November.
“IRONMĀORI events have been such an awesome addition to our event landscape since emerging 15 years ago,” he says.
“So many competitors have made huge lifestyle changes after doing the training to then participate in the events. Congratulations to the organising team and huge volunteer base that help deliver these events.”
ACC on board to provide support
ACC kaimahi are once again looking forward to working with and supporting athletes as they prepare for the big day.
The ACC team will be right amongst the celebration and manning the aid stations, as well as cheering alongside whānau.
“ACC is ecstatic to be contributing to the manaakitanga, aroha and whanaungatanga of the 15th anniversary IRONMĀORI,” says ACC’s Tumu Pae Ora (Chief Māori and Equity Officer) Michelle Murray, who is looking forward to participating again herself.
“As athletes train and plan for their race, we’ll be there to support their goals and ensure they do it with minimal injury. But if you do get hurt, be sure to taihoa ake, and get help.”
More information on IRONMĀORI
Registration details and more information, including course maps and pricing, on this year’s ACC IRONMĀORI Half and Quarter event is available on the IRONMĀORI website.
