IRONMĀORI KAUMĀTUA, RANGATAHI & TAMARIKI 2026

Seventeen years after the launch of IRONMĀORI the annual indigenous triathlon is returning to the place where the idea for the event that has had a huge positive impact on Māori lives was conceived, Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga. IRONMĀORI initially comprised of a 2KM Swim, 90KM Cycle, and 21.1KM Run/Walk Event. The event was designed to be so physically demanding that participants would be forced to make significant lifestyle changes in order to participate and complete the event.

Fifteen years on, the IRONMĀORI Kaupapa has continued to grow, reaching significant milestone such as, holding the World’s First Indigenously owned and operated Quarter, Half, and Full Distance Triathlon Events. IRONMĀORI currently hold three Triathlon Events annually throughout Aotearoa, which cater for all athletic abilities from novice through to competitive.

IRONMĀORI is a platform that is safe, unbiased, and with the main objective of whanaungatanga (Connections/Relationships). IRONMĀORI focuses on the mental well-being (past/present trauma) of our people. The physical changes whānau will experience will be a biproduct to the improvement of their mental health and overall well-being. IRONMĀORI strive towards ensuring that the healthy lifestyle changes for the individual are sustainable and will permeate through to their whānau and friends.

The IRONMĀORI ethos is not just about a Swim, Bike or Run. It is educating whānau to set personal goals, to believe in themselves and the process that lays ahead. This is established though positive role modelling, education, knowledge building, sharing and support, all concepts that are embedded through whākawhānaungatanga (Establishing Relationships).

These practices come naturally to our people, as it is displayed through the exponential increase in participation from 300 competitors in 2009, to at present reaching maximum event capacity.