Arena hosts huge variety of events

Te Rauparaha Arena showed why it is the city’s premier venue for sports and events, gaining even more popularity around the region and nationally this year.

According to Porirua City Council figures, in the year to June, 177,000 ‘‘users’’ went through the Arena.

With two gyms, function rooms, a dance studio, theatre, Arena Fitness and the Aquatic Centre – plus its central location and free parking – the Arena has been a popular destination since it opened in 2008.

An outpouring of community love for Porirua 7-year-old Iris Pouao led to a charity basketball match, ‘‘Jamming with Iris’’, in May, featuring All Black legends Tana Umaga and Jerry Collins. Te Rauparaha Arena was the perfect venue, those attending said.

Money raised for Iris, who had an inoperable brain tumour, went towards a trip to a theme park on the Gold Coast.

Her mother, Darlene, said it made her proud to belong to a such a supportive community, who flocked to Te Rauparaha Arena to help the cause.

This year the Arena hosted the Central Pulse netball team, Special Olympics events, kickboxing and Muay Thai tournaments, a New Zealand Maori v Australian Indigenous basketball match, indoor bowls, regional and national cheerleading championships and College Sport and Porirua Sports awards.

The Special Kids Christmas function, Wedding Expo, Whitireia Community Polytechnic graduation, Porirua Business Awards, Festival of the Elements, Virtuoso Strings Community Orchestra, Polyfest, Stage Challenge, Matariki and Maori Language Week were also held there.

The Porirua Expo, in April, an event to showcase the city’s businesses, community groups and organisations, activities and performers, attracted more than 5000 people.

In January, a leg of an Australasian darts tournament will be held at the Arena, and it will feature 16- time world champion Phil Taylor.