Okaiawa has been voted having the best after match meal in CMK Taranaki club rugby by club players, referees and supporters on the Taranaki Rugby social media channels.

The post on Facebook, which has nearly 300 comments, asked Taranaki Rugby followers what the best after match meal is. 

A resounding number of followers suggested the South Taranaki club, who celebrates their 125th next year, has the best after match meal.  

Anaru Rush wrote one of many comments showing a liking to Okaiawa's food. He attended with a 'magnificent feed' and stayed to watch a match which featured the All Blacks on TV One.

Warren Wipatene said Okaiawa were hands down the favourite and said they were the 'true essence of manaakitanga'.

Okaiawa club President Gareth Ogle said the quality of the food is just the same, if not better than your mother's Sunday roast. 

However, it takes time to get that delicious taste as preparations begin at the start of the season to ensure their players, visiting teams and officials are fed after each home match. 

"Our committee source locally grown meat for our well renowned after match feeds. These include beef, pork, chicken or lamb," he said. 

"On the morning of game day, committee members and supporters gather to peel the veggies ready for the kai cooker". 

Ogle said during the match the supporters and wives gather in the kitchen to finish kai preparations so when the players enter the clubrooms after the game, they can smell the delicious food. 

"No one goes hungry," he said.

Ogle said that the juniors are fed like kings as the committee supply a log of warm kid-friendly food as well as their parents. 

"Prior to the games starting, the kitchen is alive with helpers getting everything ready."

The Okaiawa Rugby Club has been feeding the rugby community like this for the past 124 years and Ogle said the feed to celebrate 125 years 'will be massive'. 

In addition to Okaiawa, Kaponga and Toko were also crowd-pleasers. 

CMK Chartered Accountants are proud partners of Taranaki club rugby. CMK Chartered Accountants have been providing accounting, taxation and business development support to clients for nearly 70 years. They take pride in working closely with our clients at all stages of growth, to structure your business to maximise both profit and efficiency.

Article added: Tuesday 07 April 2020