Aston Hurd says the striking tā moko on his right shin (inset) is a permanent reminder of family, their sacrifice and his dreams. Image / NZ Herald
Aston Hurd’s family might be hundreds of kilometres away from him as he prepares for kickoff in Napier City Rovers’ dressing room – but a look down at his right leg brings them to the front of his mind.
Running down his right shin is a sacred tā moko.
The design - that tells the footballer’s life and wider family story - was created after a two-hour background conversation between the 22-year-old and the tattoo artist.
It took nine hours to complete, with the power-running forward saying the sole break was for when the artist needed to go to the toilet.
As well as featuring intricate designs signifying different members of his family or life events, it also features a poignant symbol – the North Star - always reminding him to chase his dreams.
“There’s a lot of meaning to it and it’s kind of the shape of a shield for protection for myself,” Hurd said of the large design which is unmissable when his socks come down.
“The waves represent the waves of life and then there’s like fish scales showing that my mum and dad were providers for me.
“It features the North Star for always looking for the right direction; for not looking back ... going for your end goal.
“When I look down there, it’s like I’m looking at my family and showing that I’m not just playing for myself, I’m playing for my family; and not just blood family but the boys [in the team]. They’re my family as well.”
Raised in Waikato, Hurd signed for the Bill Robertson-coached team for 2026 after previous stints at Cambridge FC, Melville United, Hamilton Wanderers, Miramar Rangers, Birkenhead United and Northern Rovers.
Hurd might be just three games into his career at Napier City Rovers; but he has already made a big impression.
After a solid pre-season, he was named on the reserves bench for the side’s Central League-opener against Western Suburbs.
He wasted no time in impressing when coming onto the pitch late in the first half, after an injury to English import Jacob Fenton.
Hurd repeatedly caused headaches for the defence throughout the remainder of the eventual 0-0 draw.
The following week, after being promoted to the starting 11, he scored the opening goal in his side’s 3-0 win away from home against defending Central League champions Wellington Olympic.
Hurd again put in a big shift in Napier City Rovers’ 2-0 win over Upper Hutt in torrential rain and strong winds in Wellington last Saturday.
On Sunday, his side will host the Wellington Phoenix Reserves at Bluewater Stadium.
Despite the big wraps he has received from teammates, coaching staff and the side’s supporters, Hurd said he wasn’t getting carried away.
“I’m quite hard on myself,” he said.
“I like to nitpick myself on the smallest details. I like to focus and try to get better at those things.
“I like to look at the good things, but I’m also looking at the bad things sometimes.”
A lot of the praise Hurd has received has rightfully been around his work ethic.
He’s one of the quickest and most mobile players in the squad; using speed and impressive aerobic fitness to make constant runs through the opposition defence, as well as tracking back deep into his own half to help his defenders and midfield.
It was a never-quit work ethic first displayed while growing up in the small rural Waikato town of Te Aroha, where a lack of football teams saw him play rugby.
“It was kind of built into me playing rugby to dig deep ... make the runs and do the hard work,” he said.
“I just love the hard work, like I’d rather do the hard work and make other people look good, that’s just how I play.”
He was one of the best on the pitch in the 3-0 win over Wellington Olympic, which included his first league goal in a Napier City Rovers shirt.
“There’s nothing like it, especially for scoring for a club like this as well,” Hurd said of putting the ball in the back of the net.
“It’s hard to describe what it feels like to score, especially in a massive game like that. But I just love it.
“It’s quite special for me as well that even if I don’t score, if I can assist someone else in scoring.”
It’s a feeling he is determined to experience regularly with Napier City Rovers; a club he said was a “no-brainer” to sign with, as he tries to go as far as he can in football.
“I was looking for a new adventure and wanted to push myself,” he said.
Hurd moved to Napier with his partner and says he is loving life and sport in his new home.
Away from the football pitch, Hurd works in sales.
Like his teammates, a strong desire to win some silverware helped make the juggle of a fulltime job, training three nights a week, and road trips to Wellington every second week for Central League clashes, a worthwhile one.
“Competition is what drives me,” Hurd said.
“I don’t come to training to just fill up my time. I want to get better and hopefully win things. I’ve come down here to win stuff.”
As well as going as far as they can in this season’s Central League and Chatham Cup competitions, Hurd and his teammates are determined to qualify for this year’s National League, and the new-look National League in 2027.
“We’re all quite hungry for that,” he said.
“I haven’t played in the National League before, so that would be another step for me and would mean a lot.”
Still aged only 22, he aspires to becoming a fulltime professional; an achievement which would mark his sporting North Star.
“I know how hard it is for a New Zealander to go pro,” Hurd said.
“But I believe in myself that I can do it. But I want to keep pushing myself to see if I can push past that boundary and try to get into that professional environment.
“I feel like this is the perfect step because it feels quite professional here as well.”
Neil Reid is a Napier-based senior reporter who covers general news, features and sport. He joined the Herald in 2014, has 34 years of newsroom experience and has covered Napier City Rovers since 2022.
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