Tuesday, October 31, 2017
PRINCIPAL Ani Mohi and teacher Robin Mohi have gathered students together – in the same way they’ll all be in one place on December 27. Photo Sven Carlsson OB4014-01
Sven Carlsson
STAFF and students at the Te Kura Mana o Maraenui have booked into their school calendar the most important social event of the year – their annual fishing tournament.
As it has every year for more than 20 years, the tournament will be held on December 27.
Organisers at the school say letters are currently being sent out to sponsors and they expect to sell 600 competition tickets with fishers coming from far and near.
Teacher Robin Mohi said he and his wife Ani, the principal, came to the school in 1993.
“At that time there were only nine students and the school was under threat of closure,” Mr Mohi said.
“But Ani turned the school into a kura kaupapa Maori and the roll increased dramatically.”
Now with 55 students enrolled – having peaked at 80 students – the annual fishing tournament is connected to the success of the school in a symbiotic relationship.
“The fishing tournament was already happening when we arrived, and we continued it,” Mr Mohi said.
“From funds we have raised by holding the fishing competition, the school has bought buses and vans.”
The buses are used for annual trips all around New Zealand and also to ferry outlying students to the school each day.
“Only five of our students are from Maraenui itself, the rest are coming from as far away as Opotiki and Te Kaha,” Mr Mohi said. “One of our buses is coming in from Opotiki each day, and one comes from Te Kaha.”
Having the fishing tournament and therefore the buses had helped the school sustain its roll.
“The fishing tournament has great support from the community, the runanga and our land blocks,” Mr Mohi said.
Co-organiser Sid Koopu said the biggest prize in the shore-based fishing competition was for the heaviest snapper, at $1500.
“There is also a children’s section,” he said.
“We put on a hangi and a sausage sizzle as well.”
Mr Mohi said proceeds from the tournament had helped all the school’s children, and parents, travel to the South Island, to the Far North and many other places in New Zealand over the years.
“We use the buses for camps, sport events and trips – they have helped make us independent.”
On the day of the tournament, all the parents connected to the school will come and help.
“It’s a great sight to see the beach full of people,” Mr Mohi said.