More than 28 Māori hockey teams from across Aotearoa have gathered at the Gallagher Hockey Centre in Kirikiriroa for the 34th National Māori Hockey Tournament, hosted this Labour Weekend by Waikato-Maniapoto.
The four-day tournament, running from October 23 to 26, 2026, opened this Friday morning with a traditional pōwhiri welcoming players, whānau, and supporters before the opening round of games.
First established in 1992 by the late Margaret Hiha and hosted for the first time by Takitimu Rohe, the annual event is marking 34 years of competition in 2026. The tournament has been held 33 times, having experienced a single disruption in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Former player Jean Guthrie, whose committee involvement dates back to the tournament’s inception, reflected on the dramatic growth of Māori representation in hockey.
“It’s also the increase in Māori players because I can tell you coming from Poneke we were one of the few Māori clubs in hockey and then I came here to college in 1969, same thing – we were like the only high school that had Māori players in it,” Guthrie said. “There’s probably gonna be around 28 teams, and they’re all Māori. They all whakapapa back to their rohe, they all come and play. So, yes going from 1 or 2 teams from a rohe to 3 or 4 teams, you can see that’s the increase.”
Her daughter, Monica Guthrie-Barlow of host rohe Waikato-Maniapoto Haupoi, emphasized that the gathering is as much about cultural identity as sporting competition.
“It’s not just about the game. It’s not just about playing hockey, I mean we love playing hockey, but it’s about being Māori as well and implementing that kawa of being Māori, that tikanga of being Māori and coming together as one,” Guthrie-Barlow said.
“My mum was part of the committee that helped start this tournament back in 1992. So for me, now being in my late 40’s, it’s an honour to still be here and play in this tournament. It’s also an honour to be able to have all the rohe come and embrace Māori.”
The tournament continues through Labour Weekend, featuring teams across multiple divisions competing for regional pride and national honours.