There were emotional victories for the Otago men's and women's teams at the Te Waipounamu tournament over the weekend.
The Otago sides both won at the tournament, which covers teams in the South Island, in Timaru on Saturday, the first time since 2009 that both teams had won the titles.
The win was special for the sides as they played to honour the memory of Otago Maori rugby stalwart Raymond Te Huki.
Te Huki was one of the instigators of getting Maori rugby in Otago back on its feet in the 1980s, and then helped keep the game strong right up to the present day.
He died last Friday after a fight with cancer.
Before heading to Timaru on Friday night, the team bus went to Te Huki's house in Dunedin, where his body lay, until it was taken back to the North Island.
At the house, the teams performed a stirring haka to pay tribute to Te Huki.
Otago Maori men's coach Neville Haua said the call right throughout the weekend was to not forget Te Huki, and all he did for the game in Otago.
Te Huki's body was transported north on Saturday and a guard of honour was formed at Alpine Energy Stadium, in Timaru, as the hearse passed through the stadium.
The Otago sides tapped in to that emotion to chalk up some impressive wins.
The men beat Southland 39-7 and smashed Canterbury 51-12, while the women defeated Tasman 69-0 and Canterbury 47-19.
The men's team was boosted by the inclusion of Highlanders lock Tom Franklin and Otago squad player Tei Walden. The side was captained by Josh Walden, and Pirates fullback Adam Gavegan was named player of the day.
The women's team was in total control in its matches, with hooker Paige Church a standout.
Otago was also awarded the trophy for the best haka during the weekend.
South Island men's and women's teams were selected and will take on teams from the lower North Island in Christchurch this weekend.
The Otago men's team provided seven players, while the Otago women's furnished five.
