IronMa¯ori in good hands as founders take a break
Triathlon true to original ideas, but the scale of event has grown spectacularly
The founders of the indigenous triathlon, IronMa¯ori, which brings thousands of people to Te Matau a Ma¯ui each year, are stepping away from it after 15 years.
Heather Te Au-Skipworth and Wayne Skipworth founded the event in 2009 with the vision of promoting health, wellbeing and longevity from mokopuna through to kauma¯tua.
Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga, where the idea was initially conceived, will now take up the wero (challenge) to progress the event, alongside the more than 80 wha¯nau services they already deliver.
The phenomenal success of IronMa¯ori sees thousands of participants pouring into Hawke’s Bay to take part in one, two or all three legs of the triathlon annually.
The 2023 event was tinged with tragedy when an Auckland woman died during the swim leg off the Ahuriri coast. Her death was referred to the coroner.
Te Au-Skipworth, who has run for Parliament, is now running for a spot on Hastings District Council.
She said in 2009 she was working at the kaupapa Ma¯ori health and services provider as a health coach when she had the idea. “It started as a simple approach to remedy significant health problems among Ma¯ori.
“It has been an honour to walk alongside so many people who have taken up the challenge, through this journey of self-discovery.
“Succession of this beautiful kaupapa for me was key, as I want the kaupapa to outlive my lifetime and many generations to come.”
Te Taiwhenua o Herataunga chairman Mike Paku said they had watched IronMa¯ori go from strength to strength, “taking individuals, wha¯nau, hapu¯ and iwi along for the ride” and they were delighted to be able to keep it in the Kahungunu rohe.
Chief executive Waylyn TahuriWhaipakanga, who cycled in one of 18 teams her organisation registered last year, said she was thrilled that IronMa¯ori was returning home.
“It fits our strategic plan, our values and the Wha¯nau Ora kaupapa. We could really feel the mauri of the event carried by participants, support crews and organisers alike.
“The celebration of participation and achievement throughout the day is uplifting and electric. You never feel alone, you feel supported all the way through and this is something that we look to uphold.”