Tūātapere sports day set ‘to move on’

A small Southland town may have hosted its annual community sports day for the final time — bowing out after more than a century.

Families embraced the first day of the new year, participating in activities at the Tūātapere Sports Day at the Tūātapere Domain on Thursday.

Tūātapere Sports Day organiser and commentator Peter Templeton said it had been a bittersweet day.

"We’re just lucky to have had this going since 1910 but ... not having the Highland dancing and having the claybird shooting taken off us — we’ve just lost out on that and have [had] to move on," Mr Templeton said.

The first sports day began in 1910 as a wood-chopping match between two bushmen, Bill Ackers and Peter Scott.

Over the years, the event evolved into a vibrant community gathering that has attracted thousands of people.

The annual celebration has been a reflection of the town’s pioneering spirit, with roots firmly grounded in the forestry traditions that shaped Tūātapere.

This year, the town proudly celebrated 116 years of camaraderie and competition.

Multiple timber sports including standing block, Jack and Jill sawing and athletic competitions were held throughout the day.

The Tūātapere Axemen’s Athletic Society encouraged the next generation to take up the mantle and continue the tradition that had brought years of joy to the community.