Fun, festivities and whānaungatanga - all synonymous with Te Arawa Games is set to return next year.

Organisers, Te Papa Takaro o Te Arawa have announced the games will be held on 5 March to 24 March.Last year saw Ngati Rangiwewehi host the event which had more than 170 teams entered in a variety of codes with 18 marae represented.Along with the more modern activities, traditional indigenous sports were included such as spear throwing, rock lifting and weighted-log runs as part of the lead up to the Tahitian games.Te Papa Takaro o Te Arawa will release further information closer to the date.