Lake Hāwea is dusting off its red and blue for its annual Hāwea Waitangi Day Community Challenge later this week.

The long-running ‘Town vs Country’ rivalry will once again see ‘town’ in blue take on ‘country’ in red, in a good-natured showdown that’s become a community staple.

Things get underway with a quiz night on Thursday (February 5) at the Lake Hāwea Community Centre, before the action shifts to Peter Fraser Park for ‘Challenge Day’ on Friday (February 6).

The day features a full slate of competition (including petanque, golf, cricket and netball) before the focus turns to the kids. 

‘Kidz Corner’ will run from 3pm–4pm with sack races, egg-and-spoon races and a lolly scramble.

From 4pm it will be game on for the ‘Top Town’ events, with relays, tug of war and serious bragging rights up for grabs.

The Lake Hāwea Fishing Classic is back for 2026. PHOTO: Teresa Cotter

Festivities will wind down with a sausage sizzle and picnic, before community drinks at the Lake Hāwea Community Centre for those keen to keep the celebrations going.

The ‘town’ side covers residents living between Muir Road, Cemetery Road, Domain Road and the foreshore, while ‘country’ includes everyone else in the Hāwea area, including Maungawera and Luggate.

The competitive spirit continues the following day (Saturday February 7) with the Lake Hāwea Fishing Classic.

Open to anglers fishing from boats or the shore, the annual event is billed as a fun family day out which introduces young people to the joys of fishing.

Find more information about each of the weekend’s events in the ‘Events’ section of the Wānaka App.