In January 2025, a dedicated group of seven young basketball players from Wairoa proudly represented Ngāti Kahungunu ki Te Wairoa at the 12th annual Poitūkohu Māori o Aotearoa National Tournament in Rotorua. Held over three days (20–22 January), the event hosted more than 400 teams from 28 iwi across Aotearoa, offering rangatahi a unique opportunity to experience basketball through a Māori lens — upholding the values of Te Ao Māori in every aspect of play, support, and whanaungatanga.
With the support of Wairoa Young Achievers Trust, the team was able to travel, compete, and stay together in Rotorua. The grant contributed to accommodation costs, ensuring that the boys and their whānau could focus on the kaupapa of the tournament — personal growth, teamwork, and cultural connection.
The team was coached by Pa Kamana (one of the players’ dads) and managed by Cheyenne Aranui (one of the mums), embodying the spirit of community and whānau leadership. Competing in the Under 14 boys division, the team played six games over three days, facing tough competition from iwi across the motu. They showed resilience and determination, ultimately placing 6th in their division — a fantastic achievement, particularly for those experiencing a national tournament for the first time.
Throughout the tournament, their confidence, defence, and shooting skills improved with every game, and off the court, the team enjoyed downtime together at Lakes Ranch just outside Rotorua — a space that offered hot and cold pools, kayaking, a water slide, and more. These moments helped build stronger bonds within the team and between whānau.
The experience not only strengthened their skills as basketball players but also deepened their connection to their culture, their rohe, and each other.
“We are incredibly grateful to Wairoa Young Achievers Trust for helping make this journey possible. The boys grew so much over this trip — not just in basketball, but in confidence, identity, and teamwork.”
