Central Districts Māori Wāhine and Tāmaki Makaurau Tāne have each claimed a third consecutive title at the 2026 Māori National Tournaments, retaining the Rona McKenzie Taonga and the Mana Tāne Taonga respectively at Lloyd Elsmore Park in Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland.
Fenella Cooney (5-16) was the difference with the ball in the deciding match against Kūki ʻAirani, helping Central Districts secure the Rona McKenzie Taonga.
It was a title built on experience and energy, with a team that backed one another all week. The likes of domestic talent Georgia Atkinson and Kerry Tomlinson led a side full of talented young players, including Ella Wanahi and Madison Brown.
Tāmaki Makaurau Tāne were again the benchmark in the tāne competition, sealing the Mana Tāne Taonga on the third day of play.
The champions were consistent throughout the tournament, with Jamal Todd, Harry Sinclair and Jack Clough notably leading the way with the bat, and wickets spread across the whole group.
The tournament produced some great individual feats.
In the tāne competition, Northern Districts’ Kuwyn Price fell agonisingly short of a century with an unbeaten 99 off 33 balls, while Central Districts’ Izaiah Lange made 93* off 60. Te Waipounamu’s Josh Olliver (95 off 48) and Timothy Hampton-Matehe (78* off 56) were also among the top scorers.
In the wāhine competition, Central Districts’ Georgia Atkinson lit up Round 4 with a composed yet dominant 88* off 66, following fifties from Northern Districts’ Marama Downes (55* off 52) and Skye Bowden (59 off 49) in the same match. Greta Abbott was another standout throughout the tournament for Te Waipounamu / Te Whanganui-a-Tara, striking 52 off 35 in the first round. A great milestone was also reached by Davinya Lulia, who took 4-5 with the ball for Kūki ʻAirani on the side’s first appearance at the tournament.
An exciting addition to this year’s tournament was the introduction of three taonga, recognising those who best embodied the kaupapa of the two competitions.
Hei Piringa (rōpū taonga): Both Central Districts Māori teams, tāne and wāhine, were named kaitiaki of Hei Piringa, a refuge or shelter for the generations to come. The rōpū were recognised for the nurturing nature they showed throughout the tournament, creating a safe space for young players to step into te ao Māori and embracing cricket as a vehicle to celebrate being Māori.
He Toa Takitini (tāne taonga): Te Whanganui-a-Tara’s Oscar Wilson was named kaitiaki of He Toa Takitini, a patu made from mānuka with a kānuka base. Inspired by the whakataukī “ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari taku toa he toa takitini”, it recognises a player whose strength and courage inspired and supported the whole group.
He Teitei Kahikatea (wāhine taonga): Central Districts’ Molly Noema-Barnett was named kaitiaki of He Teitei Kahikatea, made from kānuka with a mānuka base. Like the kahikatea, whose intertwined roots steady the forest around it, the taonga recognises someone who cared for others, stepped into challenging spaces and laid a foundation for those following into te ao Māori.
NZC would like to extend a big thank you to all players and support staff for making the tournament a wonderful celebration of Māori cricket.
Thanks must also go to Howick Pakuranga Cricket Club and ground staff for their valued support throughout the tournament, and to Te Māhurehure Marae for hosting the teams.