History

whakawhanaungatanga - building relationships

The Nga Hau E wha Maori Squash Tournament is held annually in October during Labour weekend. Competitors who range from juniors through to masters travel from all areas in New Zealand to attend this event that is considered to be one of the largest tournaments in the country.
The tournament began in 1981 and was hosted by Tainui in Te Awamutu, since then it has been hosted by a different Rohe every year which has seen it travel to many places in its 29 year history. Nga Hau E Wha has also enjoyed the participation of many well known squash players who have been a great inspiration to young and old competitiors.
In 1983 when Te Arawa first hosted the tournament a taonga which was carved by Hepa Gibbons of Rotorua and donated by Merv Martin also of Rotorua (Te Roopu o Waikite, now known as Rotorua Waikite), was to become the "Nga Hau E Wha Maori Squash Taonga" that is held by every hosting rohe. This taonga which is an intricately carved squash racket depicts "The Four Winds" - (Nga Hau E Wha), with four tekoteko on the head of the racket.

The Nga Hau e Wha Tournament commenced in 1981 and was held
subsequently every year at the following venues:

· 1981 Te Awamutu - Tainui
· 1982 Hastings - Kahungunu
· 1983 Wellington - Whanganui a Tara
· 1984 Rotorua - Te Arawa
· 1985 Gisborne - Ngati Porou
· 1986 Hastings - Kahungunu
· 1987 Whangarei - Tai Tokerau
· 1988 Cambridge - Tainui
· 1989 Wellington - Whanganui a Tara
· 1990 Gisborne - Ngati Porou
· 1991 New Plymouth - Taranaki
· 1992 Auckland - Ngati Whenua
· 1993 Taupo - Tuwharetoa
· 1994 Hastings - Kahungunu
· 1995 Hamilton - Tainui
· 1996 Wellington - Whanganui a Tara
· 1997 Tokoroa - Tuwharetoa
· 1998 Taihape - Kahungunu
· 1999 Whakatane - Mataatua
· 2000 Hastings - Kahungunu
· 2001 Wanganui - Whanganui
· 2002 Henderson - Tamaki Makaurau
· 2003 Kaitaia - Tai Tokerau
· 2004 Hastings - Kahungunu
· 2005 Rotorua - Te Arawa
· 2006 Wainuiomata - Whanganui a Tara.
· 2007 Masterton - Te Karu O Te Ika
· 2008 Manurewa - Tamaki Ki Te Tonga
· 2009 Hastings - Kahungunu
· 2010 Island Bay - Whanganui a Tara
· 2011 Rotorua - Te Arawa
· 2012 Masterton - Wairarapa