The Duncan McIntyre trophy of Te Matatini has been returned to Te Whānau a Apanui following the 'Kawe mate' of the late Ngapo Wehi onto Te Kaha Marae yesterday. The trophy was given to the Wehi family during his funeral last month in Waihīrere.
Passionate cries echoed on this marae in remembrance of the late Ngapo and his beloved wife Pimia Wehi.
Today also symbolises the return of the Duncan McIntyre trophy given to the winners of Te Matatini, for now the holders are Te Whānau a Apanui.
We have come to bring back this trophy on the understanding that Ngapo and Pimia would never want his family to hold it because Te Waka Huia did not win it.
In the speeches on the marae Te Whānau a Apanui acknowledged the return of the trophy.
Tamati Waaka (Te Whānau a Apanui) says, “When we went onto Parihimanihi we went there knowing that the trophy will eventually be returned to us, also even if it did not come back we were not worried because it holds prestige on its own.”
Ngapo and Pimia Wehi tutored Te Waka Huia who is the only team to have won the Duncan McIntyre trophy six times. At the last competition known as Te Matatini the trophy was won by Te Whānau a Apanui.
Waaka says, “We are only a cultural group, secondly we are a tribe when it comes to winning trophies let's leave that for Te Matatini.”
With six months out from the next Te Matatini competition. Te Whānau a Apanui will be returning the trophy to the competition when it takes place in Hastings.