Maori v Pakeha in Stewart Island game

Waitangi Day celebrations have a history of upset and controversy, but things are done differently on Stewart Island.

Past gatherings at the Waitangi Treaty House have seen activists jostle Prime Minister John Key and hurl eggs and other objects at visiting dignitaries.

However, since 1991 Stewart Islanders have marked Waitangi Day with a "Maori v Pakeha" rugby game, followed by a hangi.

John "Pihi" Neave was one of the original players.

Now living in Balclutha, he had not decided whether he would make it to the island for tomorrow's game, but his parents would be cheering on the sidelines.

He said the idea of a "black v white" game might sound controversial, but it had been bringing the community together for almost two decades.

"It's as politically incorrect as hell, but it's all a bit of fun," he said.

The captain of the Maori team, Paul Sooalo, said the day was less about protocol and more about community bonding.

"We're the unfittest bunch of guys you'll ever see," he said.

"But it's beautiful because we're all mates and once a year it's Maori v Pakeha.

"We can go on to the field, give each other a bit of a knock-around, then we can go to the pub and have a laugh at the hits we've taken.

"It's an excuse for us to all to get together and celebrate the island. This couldn't happen anywhere else."

- © Fairfax NZ News