Rotorua and Te Arawa will also be represented by the return of Rotorua-Lynmore No 1 seed and captain Shaun Tamai, a former Maori champion, after a lengthy spell out of competing at the tournament as well as Rotorua coach and former pro circuit player Marvin Barker.
But the local players will have tough competition from last year's champion Te Kani Williams from Auckland, seven-time singles winner Eru Lyndon and Whanganui's former triple champion Kyle Butters who was awarded tennis freshman of the year at Boise State University, USA. Maori Tennis Association chairman Dick Garratt said the men's draw would provide "fierce competition". "You really couldn't pick it," he said. "It's such a quality field this year - it's great because hopefully that will bring out the best performances from each of them.
"Te Arawa are strongly represented and that's nice to see as the first ever championships were held in Rotorua. I'm sure they will battle well. It's going to be very tough in the men's field though. On the day it's whoever holds their nerve and selects the best shots for the big points."
The competition is wide open in the women's draw after last weekend's New Zealand singles champion Paige Hourigan had to withdraw through injury.
Star rugby ancestry features prominently in the field with Brooke Aroha Kenny, daughter of former All Black Dean Kenny, and Kalais Going, relative of former All Black Sid Going, as ones to watch while Paris Butters will also likely challenge.
Te Arawa will also be strongly represented in the women's 50-plus singles with Rotorua captain Leona Davis-Kaye looking to retain her crown and she is also competing in the doubles and mixed doubles.
Davis-Kaye, who has competed in the competition for the last 20 years, said she was confident ahead of the competition which she praised for showcasing Maori sporting talent.
"It's definitely always the goal to win," she said. "I'm still as competitive as ever and want to be successful in all three of the competitions.
"This tournament is wonderful because it shows such a positive side to the Maori community. I'm delighted that Te Arawa will be so well represented and hopefully we can bring a few trophies back."
The 2016 Aotearoa Maori Tennis Championships will open with a pohiri at 8.30am on Tuesday - which will include appearances from Rotorua sporting legends - former Wimbledon tennis star Ruia Morrison MBE and netball queen Taini Jamison OBE.
2016 Aotearoa Maori Tennis Championships:
Where: Waikato Tennis Centre courts, Hamilton
Tuesday: Pohiri 8.30am. Start of singles play 10am
Wednesday: Singles 8.30am (1 x round). Kiingi Tuheitia Mokopuna - hot shots event 10am. All doubles events 11am. Social grade events 11.30am.
Thursday: Singles finals 8.30am. All mixed doubles 11am.
Friday: Rain day - any delayed games to be played.
