The upcoming National Māori Men's tournament at Easter will be the first of its kind in cricket, with five regional teams competing in a series of Twenty20s at Whangārei's Cobham Oval and Kensington Park.  

The competing teams will be: Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland), Northern Māori (Northern Districts), Central Districts Māori (CD), Te Whanganui-a-tara (Wellington), and Te Waipounamu (South Island, with the exception of Nelson and Marlborough who represent CD). 

Former Stags captain KIERAN NOEMA-BARNETT holds the NZ record for the fastest ever T20 fifty, off 14 balls | PHOTOSPORT

For some teams, including Central Districts Māori, the tournament will mark the first occasion their region has selected a Māori representative sidem with the inaugural Central Māori squad to be named in the coming fortnight.

Former Central Stags rep ALISTAIR ALCOCK (Rongomaiwahine), who is now Te Whanganui-a-tara's coach, said it was a great opportunity for Māori players. 

“The kaupapa for this tournament is bigger than any individual or team. It’s a chance to establish Māori cricket as part of the cricket landscape, and provide opportunities for Māori players to connect with players from other rohe,” said our CD Alumnus.

“It’s also a great chance to pit one’s cricket skills against the top Māori players from other associations and Iwi.” 

BEN WHEELER is one of a number of Central Stags of Māori heritage to have also represented the BLACKCAPS | PHOTOSPORT

Northern Māori has led the way as the country's formative Domestic Māori side, with a decade-long programme.

Representative Mikaere Leef (Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāti Pūkenga) said the new concept was a brilliant initiative. 

“I’m looking forward to being around the Northern Māori boys, but also other Māori cricketers from throughout the country,” said Leef. 

“Growing up, I never imagined a National Māori Tournament would happen so it’s pretty cool for young Māori cricketers to be able to see this tournament and aspire to play in it one day.

Former Stags PETE MCGLASHAN (centre) and JESSE RYDER (right) both played in the very first NZ Māori team that competed in the 2000 Pasifika Cup | PHOTOSPORT

“It will be great to get Māori cricket in the public eye, and get people excited about Māori cricket and the benefits it can bring to New Zealand Cricket as a whole”. 

Teams will stay at Terenga Paraoa Marae and Pehiāweri Marae during the tournament, which will be officially opened with a pōwhiri on Friday 7 April at Cobham Oval.  

The tournament will begin that day at 2:30pm with Northern Māori playing Tāmaki Makaurau Māori, and Central Districts Māori playing Te Whanganui-a-Tara. Two T20s per day follow on Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 April.

The National Māori Tournament will be livescored on NZC PlayHQ.

A Māori National Women’s Tournament is also planned for this year, in October at the start of next summer, with details to be communicated closer to the time.

Article added: Thursday 16 March 2023