National rugby league tournament showcases Te Puāwaitanga and boosts the local economy

Thousands of players, whānau and supporters travelled to the Far North earlier this month as Te Puāwaitanga Sports Hub hosted the 2026 Aotearoa NZ Māori Rugby League (ANZMRL) Teina Tama Tournament for the first time. The event highlighted the district's growing ability to host large sporting events while providing a welcome boost for local businesses during winter.

Held on 10 and 11 July, the tournament brought together 46 under-13 and under-14 boys' teams from throughout Aotearoa and Australia. More than 800 players, around 200 coaches and management staff, and thousands of supporters attended over the two days, with matches played at both Te Puāwaitanga in Waipapa and Kerikeri Rugby Football Club.

The tournament is traditionally held in Rotorua but was moved to Te Tai Tokerau this year to help grow rugby league in the region and strengthen opportunities for Māori rugby league communities.

Far North District Council supported the event by providing access to Te Puāwaitanga Sports Hub and helping ensure the facilities were ready to host a tournament of this scale. Council also worked alongside organisers to support the delivery of the kaupapa, demonstrating the value of investing in community facilities that benefit both local residents and the wider district.

Accommodation providers, marae, retailers and hospitality businesses across the district experienced a busy weekend, with organisers reporting strong demand throughout Kerikeri, Waipapa, Paihia and surrounding communities. While a formal economic assessment has not yet been completed, the tournament generated an economic benefit of nearly 1 million.

The tournament was jointly delivered by Aotearoa NZ Māori Rugby League, Te Tai Tokerau Rugby League and Makos Rugby League, supported by dozens of volunteers, officials and community organisations. Their mahi helped deliver more than two days of competition while welcoming teams and whānau from across New Zealand and Australia.

Despite hosting dozens of matches across multiple fields, Te Puāwaitanga performed strongly throughout the tournament. Organisers praised the quality of the playing surfaces and facilities, noting they compared favourably with some of New Zealand's leading sports venues. Aside from a temporary power issue that was resolved on the day, the event ran successfully and demonstrated the venue's capability to host major regional and national sporting events.

"It was fantastic to see Te Puāwaitanga come alive with so many players, whānau and supporters over the weekend. Hosting an event of this scale showed what the facility is capable of and the positive impact it can have for our local community and businesses.", said Tony Kemp, current board member of Te Puāwaitanga and Former Kiwi and Warriors Coach.

The tournament also created opportunities beyond the field. Families travelled to Te Tai Tokerau to reconnect with whakapapa, local marae welcomed visitors from around the country, and businesses benefited from increased visitor spending during what is typically a quieter time of year.

Events such as the Teina Tama Tournament show how quality community facilities can support sport, strengthen connections within the hapori and deliver wider economic benefits for the Far North.