The tournament is designed to include the entire family with players competing across multiple divisions and levels. Photo: RNZ Pacific / Tiana Haxton
The Niue Tri-Nations Golf Tournament returned to New Zealand over the festive season, bringing together Niuean golfers from New Zealand, Australia and Niue.
Held every two years, organisers say the competition provides an opportunity for families to reconnect.
The tournament was founded nearly three decades ago, with hosting rights rotating between Niuean golf associations in Niue, New Zealand and Australia.
Over 100 players and supporters gathered at the Takapuna Golf Club in Auckland for the 2025 edition.
The President of the Niue Golf Association New Zealand was proud to see so many participants this year.
While competition is tough on the field, Henry Jackson said it strengthens friendships and relationships across the Niuean diaspora.
"What it does to the community and for us as well as players, we have built up the camaraderie over the last 29 years, and all of us are now good friends," Jackson said.
"You get to know people that you don't ever get to see on a regular basis here."
Jackson said the low-intensity sport also provides a way for older players and those with injuries to stay active.
"It's good for everyone's fitness. If you can see, they're all sizes, and it's good for them to walk and get fit, that's the main thing too.
"Some of the guys they can't even walk, but they can still swing the club, and they use the carts to go around the course. So community wise, it's great for their health and safety as well."
The assistant club captain for the Niue Golf Association New Zealand, Larry Kaupinga, said the tournament is designed to include the entire family.
"It's bringing the families together of all ages from grandkids right up to the oldest," Kaupinga said.
"The youngest is 11, and the oldest would be 82, so there's a big difference in ages right here with us."
He said participation was strong, with players competing across multiple divisions and levels.
Over 100 players and supporters gathered at the Takapuna Golf Club in Auckland. Photo: RNZ Pacific / Tiana Haxton
Niue Golf patron Tama Fai Fuhiniu travelled from Niue to attend the tournament.
He said the event has always carried special significance.
"The original concept was that the last two days and the first two days of a year is celebrated by playing the golf event," he said.
"The significance of that was to farewell the old year and welcome the new."
While there are cash prizes up for grabs, he said they play for the fun of the game.
"We're not playing for millions of dollars. We're just playing for the joy of the sport and the exercise. It's something that you need to encourage and get others to become part of.
"All the good things in life, the healthy life benefits - it does filter down within the community."
Niuean Golfers from Australia, New Zealand and Niue gather every two year for their Tri-nations tournament. Photo: RNZ Pacific / Tiana Haxton
Fuhiniu said encouraging younger players is the key to keeping the tournament alive.
"It's up to the nations themselves to encourage and give opportunity for these young people. And this is the only way we can create an environment where the young ones can go into the sport or grow into the event and enjoy it. You give them a direction in life and something important that they can embrace - something different."
He dreams of seeing a Niuean make it big in professional golf.
"In Niue we have a very small population pool, so we have a very small number of people who enjoy playing golf. But that does not mean that we can't produce something that's good, like Lydia Ko or Tiger Woods," he said.
The Australian team captain Felix T-Hipa said he'd like to see a Niuean in a professional circuit.
"And if we see talent, we nourish them and encourage them to go all the way. It's one of the things hopefully in my lifetime, I can get to see."
While competition is tough on the field, it strengthens friendships and relationships across the Niuean diaspora. Photo: RNZ Pacific / Tiana Haxton
The Niue Australian Golf Association will be hosting the next Tri-Nations tournament.
T-Hipa said the club is already preparing to welcome their golfing family, six years since they last hosted.
"We're looking forward to that. We're looking forward to receiving them New Zealand, and especially our families from Niue. That is one of the good things about tri-nation. You can take your family and meet up with the family in Niue."
Most of the teams spent Christmas and New Years together in Auckland before beginning their return home.
However some groups from both Australia and New Zealand have taken the opportunity to travel to Niue.
Fuhiniu is proud to see them make the extra effort to reach their homeland.
"There are benefits out of that trip. You reconnect with your heritage; you reconnect with your culture; they stay with family. It is a wonderful thing to happen," Fuhiniu said.
The next Tri-Nations Tournament will be hosted in Sydney in 2027.