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The history of Maori hockey in New Zealand is a story of perseverance and resilience, with many dedicated individuals working to preserve and promote this important aspect of Maori culture.
Māori hockey tournaments, in general, were prevalent throughout the ’40s, ’50s, and ’60s, often held on the East Coast of the North Island, throughout the Bay of Plenty, and in the Waikato-Maniapoto district. When the number dwindled, national women’s hockey representative, coach, and “mother of Māori hockey,” Margaret Hiha (Ngāti Rangitihi, Te Arawa), decided to push for the revitalization of Māori involvement in hockey and established a National Hockey Tournament.
The inaugural tournament was held in Napier in 1992 and hosted by the people of the Takitimu waka region. Tournaments have been held annually and hosted by each of the Māori Hockey Districts and are determined by the Māori Land Court boundaries.
According to the 2006 Census, the Māori population in the region was just over 65,000, representing 11.6 percent of the total New Zealand Māori population.
The national tournament is held annually over Labor weekend and is an official listing on the NZ Hockey Federation calendar of events.
Source: “www.tournament.wmh.maori.nz/home/about/“
Māori and Hockey: More than a game – by Dylan Thomas (Raukawa, Hauraki)
NZ Maori Hockey Inc. continues to make steady progress, the developments made over the years as highlighted are testimony to these achievements.
In recent years, Maori hockey players have become more prominent in New Zealand’s hockey scene, with many players representing national teams and clubs at various levels. The National Maori Hockey Tournament continues to be a highlight of the Maori hockey calendar, providing an opportunity for Maori players to showcase their skills and compete against each other in a supportive and culturally rich environment.
The involvement of Maori players in international fixtures against teams from Australia and Fiji demonstrates the growing recognition of Maori hockey talent on a global scale. The recognition of individuals such as Margaret Hiha with life memberships and prestigious awards further solidifies the importance of Maori contributions to the sport of hockey in New Zealand.
As NZ Maori Hockey Inc. continues to grow and develop, it is clear that Maori hockey is experiencing a resurgence and will continue to play an important role in the New Zealand hockey community for years to come.
HAUPOI MĀORI AOTEAROA – SPORTS AWARDS HONOURS
1991 – Margaret Hiha, Māori Sports Administrator of the year
2004 – Lyn Farrell, Māori Umpire/Referee of the year
2010 – Patricia Rangi, Māori Sports Administrator of the year
2016 – Amber Church, Māori Umpire/Referee of the year
2020 – Kayla Whitelock 27th of the past 30 years of Māori sports people
2022 – Amber Church, Māori Umpire/Referee of the year
HEREWINI WHANAU HOCKEY SCHOLARSHIP GRANTS
Nomination forms – www.hockey.maori.nz/downloads/
Kayla WHITELOCK (nee Sharland) Rangitane competed in her third (3) Summer Olympics – 2008 Beijing, 2012 London, 2016 Rio in Hockey. Was selected for the Tokyo Olympics but was injured before departure.
OFFICIALS (ĀPIHA) REFEREES (KAIWAWAO) COACHES (KAIAKO)
Amber CHURCH Te Aitanga ā Māhaki Hockey Referee. Church was an umpire at the 2016 Rio Olympics, the Tokyo Olympics of 2021, the Paris Olympics 2024, and the International Hockey Federation female umpire of the year for 2021/22.
1984 LOS ANGELES SUMMER OLYMPICS USA
Harina KOHERE HOCKEY
1992 BARCELONA SUMMER OLYMPICS SPAIN
Tina BELL-KAKE Ngati Pukenga, Whakatohea HOCKEY
*Sapphire COOPER Ngāti Rongomaiwahine, HOCKEY
*Robin MATHEWS HOCKEY
2000 SYDNEY SUMMER OLYMPICS AUSTRALIA
Tina BELL-KAKE Ngati Pukenga, Whakatohea HOCKEY
Diana TE AWA HOCKEY
Caryn PAEWAI HOCKEY
Skippy HAMAHONA HOCKEY
2004 ATHENS SUMMER OLYMPICS GREECE
Niniwa ROBERTS-LANG Ngai Tuhoe WOMENS HOCKEY
Tara DRYSDALE Rangitane, Ngati Kahungunu WOMENS HOCKEY
Kayla SHARLAND Rangitane WOMENS HOCKEY
Lizzy IGASAN Ngapuhi WOMENS HOCKEY
Diana TE AWA HOCKEY
Bevan HARI Ngati Rangitihi MENS HOCKEY
David KOSOOF Ngati Porou MENS HOCKEY
2008 BEIJING SUMMER OLYMPICS CHINA
Tara DRYSDALE Rangitane, Ngati Kahungunu HOCKEY
Lizzy IGASAN Ngapuhi HOCKEY
Caryn PAEWAI Ngati Kahungunu HOCKEY
Niniwa ROBERTS Ngai Tuhoe HOCKEY
Kayla SHARLAND Rangitane HOCKEY
Anita WAWATAI Ngai Tamanuhiri HOCKEY
David KOSOOF Ngati Porou HOCKEY
Krystal FORGESSION Ngai Tahu HOCKEY
2012 LONDON SUMMER OLYMPICS UNITED KINGDOM
Charlotte HARRISON Ngapuhi HOCKEY
Samantha HARRISON Ngapuhi HOCKEY
Kayla SHARLAND Rangitane HOCKEY (Capt)
Gemma FLYNN Te Arawa HOCKEY
Katie GLYNN Ngati Whatua HOCKEY
Melody COOPER Rangitane HOCKEY
Krystal FORGESSON Ngati Whatua HOCKEY
Alana MILLINGTON Ngapuhi HOCKEY
Blair HILTON Tainui HOCKEY
Andy HAYWARD Te Arawa HOCKEY
2016 RIO SUMMER OLYMPICS BRAZIL
Hockey Women – Haupoi Wāhine
Kayla WHITELOCK (c) Rangitane HOCKEY
Gemma FLYNN Tainui HOCKEY
Charlotte HARRISON Ngaphui HOCKEY
Blair HILTON HOCKEY
Hockey Men – Haupoi Tāne
Blair HILTON Ngapuhi HOCKEY
Kane RUSSELL Ngapuhi HOCKEY
2020 TOKYO SUMMER OLYMPICS JAPAN
Hockey Men – Haupoi Tāne
Stephen JENNESS TBC Hockey Men
Kane RUSSELL Ngāpuhi Hockey Men
Hockey Women – Haupoi Wāhine
Katie DOAR Ngāti Rangi Hockey Women
2024 PARIS SUMMER OLYMPICS FRANCE
Isaac HOULBROOKE Ngāi Tahu HOCKEY
Kane RUSSELL Ngāpuhi HOCKEY
*Updated by NZMH
Nomination forms – www.hockey.maori.nz/downloads/
“Experience the passion and tradition of Māori hockey at our upcoming tournaments and events.
Become part of our community and celebrate the spirit of the game.”