Wellington Samoa Rugby Union's current President Ken Ah Kuoi Photo: RNZ Pacific
The Wellington Samoa Rugby Union is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
Porirua Park is expected to come alive this Labour Weekend as rugby teams, fans, and family pack the stadium for Wellington Samoa Rugby Union's 50th anniversary celebrations.
The Union was formed in 1972, and is the first Pacific rugby union established in New Zealand..
The Union's current President, Ken Ah Kuoi, describes the significance of this anniversary:
"We are still going strong, so that's a milestone in itself, and we really appreciate the foresight and the work and dreams of our forefathers, mothers and families that helped make it happen. That's where we are now because of their work."
He said the founding members of the Union were not only passionate about rugby, but also about their Samoan heritage.
"It's maintaining language and culture and we do that. And all our teams say a lotu (prayer) before games and they sing songs ...it's a big thing for the union to maintain the language and culture."
Ah Kuoi said that the union has gone through many changes over the years, including the addition of Samoan women's teams.
Mayor of Porirua, Anita Baker (L), and Porirua city Councillor, and former Black Fern, Izzy Ford Photo: RNZ Pacific
Porirua city councillor, and former Black Fern, Izzy Ford, said the Union's story is an important one for Pacific communities.
"If you can imagine their story was, they were migrants who had just come in to New Zealand and, trying to find commonality with their teams and they were all struggling to get on any club team, and so the Wellington Samoan brand or club was formed as a result."
The Union has helped so many young people shine over the years according to Ford.
"Because at the time, there were a lot of our Pacific Island kids who were not getting selected for higher honours and so this was a way to actually give them an opportunity, get out, show that they were actually capable of representing at that level and then go onto higher honours."
She also said that the Union has definitely played a part in enriching the fabric of Wellington rugby.
Moera Tuilaepa-Taylor has compiled this report
Nine Aotearoa-based Pacific rugby teams are travelling to Porirua from Auckland, Waikato, and Bay of Plenty regions to take part in the celebrations. Twenty teams in all will participate in the event.
Ati Aaifou-Olive is the director of Pacific Islands Rugby. He has put together the Pacific Aotearoa teams.
Ati Aaifou-Olive is the director of Pacific Islands Rugby Photo: RNZ Pacific
"Pacific Aotearoa was actually formed to be able to bring Pacific communities together but also invite non-Pasifika to come into the Pasifika environment. So we've got Maori, Samoan, Tongans, Fijian and other Pasifika."
He said the response to the event has been extremely positive.
"As soon as we got the call out to Pacific communities around the North Island, they were like, yep, we are down, as long as we can make it happen for the teams and it's awesome to bring people from all over the North Island really to come and celebrate the purpose."
He said it started with a zero budget, but so many people and organisations from around the country have offered their support.
Porirua Mayor Anita Baker talks about the event, which will be held at Porirua Park.
"This event is absolutely fantastic in Porirua, perfect place at Porirua park, right in the middle of the east, and it will bring everybody to the city and let everybody come in free"
Izzy Ford said the Wellington Samoa Rugby Union has strong links with Porirua Park.
"Some of the early committee members were Peti and Alec Toomaga-Iona who were massive stalwarts of North's club and they were Jerry Collins's uncles. So the fact that it's being played here, at Jerry Collins Stadium, in the 50th year is massive.
Entry into the event is free.