Māori and Pasifika are overrepresented in drowning statistics across the motu, so a water polo competition at Baywave, Mount Maunganui, was born.

“We wanted to boost Māori and Pasifika’s swimming ability, and water polo was an easy way to do that,” spokesperson Wayne Rickit said.

The competition is in its second year, with more than 250 players taking part from across Aotearoa, Rickit said.

“Teams are mixed gender, and we have four grades: Tamariki, Rangatahi, Taitamariki and Pakeke and Taiohi.”

It will run over Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with finals on the last day, Rickit said.

In the previous year, players had come from as far as Australia.

George Chambers, Ropata Veale and Kelly Sadler opened the competition. Photo / Tom Eley

Ropata Veale, Kelly Sadler and George Chambers opened the competition and gave a karakia and waiata.

Sadler, a friend of Rickit’s, said the competition had grown since its first year and more than 1000 people were expected to watch and participate over the weekend.

“It is about being with their kaupapa and seeing other brown faces in the water.”

He said there were many barriers to getting some Māori and Pasifika into the water, including Pākehā swim attire.

The competition will run over Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with finals on the last day. Photo / Tom Eley

“It is also about encouraging body positivity, as Pasifika and Māori often wear T-shirts to the pool to hide their body.

“How do we stop them from feeling embarrassed about what they’re in because that’s what it is, the body shape.”

For most Pasifika and Māori, he said, it was about not feeling exposed. “It is step by step.”

At the opening ceremony, he said plenty of kai and drinks were available to make whānau comfortable.

“Many of these families may not necessarily participate in this type of welcome, or maybe they do it at school.”