Kaua e mate wheke me mate ururoa

Young talented Ngāti Toa rangatahi  Arene Landon-Lane, TJ Landon-Lane, Kiharoa Landon-Lane and Renata Pereka-Piwari celebrate their selection in their respective sporting codes. The rangatahi whakapapa to Ngāti Toa through their grandfather, Maaka Waaka and tūpuna Te Ua and Nohorua.

TJ Landon-Lane, Renata Pereka-Piwari, Arene Landon-Lane & Kiharoa Landon-Lane

Their celebrations will be short-lived as there is much more mahi to do to get them prepared for their tournaments. They have all been heavily involved with their whānau sports club Central Mako since they could walk. The whānau play most sporting codes, however rugby, softball and baseball are where they excel.

In true whānau style (Mum and Dad are both coach and manage at the Club) they’re all dedicated to hard work on and off the paddock. They also appreciate giving back to the next generation of players, assisting with training and umpiring.

Over the years the whānau have traveled throughout Aotearoa, Australia, Japan, Canada, Guam and the USA with their sport.

Raising funds to attend the tournament is part of their routine. The whānau appreciate the financial assistance that the Rūnanga provides, which allows them to continue to work hard, dream big and strive to reach their goals.  

Recently Arene attended the U20 Black Fern Rugby camp at the Institute of Sport and made the difficult decision to turn down a second year Softball Scholarship to Crowder College in Missouri to chase her dream of representing the Black Ferns. 

TJ and Kiharoa have been selected in the Wellington U19 Softball Team. Kiharoa and cousin Renata have been selected in the Wellington U17 Softball Team.

Kiharoa was also recently selected in the U18 NZ Baseball Team who will contest a spot in the U18 Baseball World Cup. 

In their spare time, they love doing lawns, weeding gardens and yard cleaning to help with fundraising to get to their respective tournaments in Aotearoa and overseas.

Whānau if you have any chores or projects you need help with please email: tane.landon-lane@ngatitoa.iwi.nz