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Hawke's Bay Special Olympics Team Secures Record 30 Medals at National Games

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Sunday, December 14th 2025 at 21:45 GMT by The New Zealand Herald
      Locale: NEW ZEALAND

Hawke’s Bay Special Olympics team returns home with 30 medals from the National Games

When the Hawke’s Bay Special Olympics squad finished their two‑week stint at the 2024 National Games in Wellington, the town’s streets were already buzzing with excitement. According to the Hawke’s Bay Today report, the 12‑member team—made up of athletes aged 10 to 25—walked off the finish line with a haul of 30 medals, a record for the region and a clear sign that the local program is on a winning trajectory.

A community‑built success story

The piece opens with a description of the tight‑knit Hawke’s Bay community that surrounds the Special Olympics movement. Local primary schools, the Hawke’s Bay Community College, and the Hawke’s Bay District Health Board all played a role in the training camps that preceded the games. A dedicated coach, Mara Te Rangi, is highlighted as the linchpin of the program; she notes that the team’s growth from a handful of athletes in 2018 to 12 this year is the result of “persistent community support and a shared belief that everyone can succeed.”

The article also links to an interview with Te Rangi on the Special Olympics New Zealand website, where she explains that the Hawke’s Bay team’s training regime is a blend of local sports clubs’ expertise and the national curriculum on inclusive coaching. “We’re not just preparing for medals; we’re preparing for life beyond the track,” she says.

The National Games: A multi‑sport showcase

The National Games, held from 14–20 July in Wellington, featured 22 sports and over 3,000 athletes from across the country. Hawke’s Bay’s squad competed in athletics, swimming, and badminton—sports that the team had identified as their strongest.

The Hawke’s Bay Today article quotes the team’s manager, Ian Parsons, who says the athletes had “worked extremely hard over the past six months, balancing schoolwork, community events, and rigorous training schedules.” Parsons notes that the team was flown in on a charter flight, a first for a Hawke’s Bay Special Olympics squad.

Medal tally and standout moments

A detailed breakdown shows that the Hawke’s Bay team captured 12 golds, 9 silvers, and 9 bronzes. The bulk of the gold medals came from the 100‑metre dash and the 50‑metre freestyle swim, while bronze medals were secured in the badminton doubles and long jump.

• Jared Kane (athletics, 100 m) finished with a personal best of 12.87 seconds, securing his third gold in a row.
• Aroha Māori (swimming) set a new national record in the 50‑m freestyle, clocking 33.15 seconds.
• Tara O’Brien (badminton) partnered with Mika Ngaru to win the mixed doubles title, a first for the team.

The article quotes the athletes themselves, who describe the medal ceremony as “a moment that felt like a dream.” “I felt like I could do anything,” says Kane, “and I know that’s only the beginning.”

Community support and sponsorship

Special Olympics New Zealand’s financial assistance, coupled with local sponsorships from Hawke’s Bay’s main supermarkets and the Hawke’s Bay District Council, enabled the team to travel, train, and compete at a national level. The Hawke’s Bay Today feature also links to a short video produced by the district council that showcases the fundraising efforts—bingo nights, bake sales, and a charity run that raised $15,000 for the team’s expenses.

Parsons stresses the importance of “everyone’s role,” adding that the “local businesses, the council, the schools, and the families” all contribute to a sustainable program.

Impact beyond the podium

The article underscores that the medals are only one indicator of success. Local educators report that athletes have seen increased confidence in their day‑to‑day lives. “They’re more engaged in class, more willing to ask questions, and they’ve gained a sense of belonging,” says Ms. Elena Fletcher, a physical‑education teacher at Ōtaki Primary School.

The Hawke’s Bay team’s coach, Te Rangi, is already planning for the next major competition—the 2025 World Special Olympics in Los Angeles. “We’re not just aiming for more medals; we’re aiming for a platform that showcases how far these athletes have come,” she says. The article hints at potential expansions to the training program, including a partnership with the New Zealand Sports Institute to provide elite coaching and sports psychology support.

A celebration of resilience and hope

The Hawke’s Bay Today article ends on a celebratory note, describing a community reception held at the Hawke’s Bay Community Hall where local dignitaries, families, and the athletes themselves were honoured. Mayor John Cameron presented the team with a commemorative plaque that reads: “For the courage to compete and the spirit that inspires us all.”

The author also notes that the team will host a youth workshop later in the month, inviting local children to learn about the sport and the inclusive values that underlie the Special Olympics movement. “We want to plant the seeds for the next generation of athletes,” says Parsons.

Bottom line

The Hawke’s Bay Special Olympics team’s return home with 30 medals is a triumph that extends far beyond the numbers on a podium. It is a story of community partnership, unwavering commitment, and a future where every athlete—regardless of ability—can dream, train, and shine on the world stage.