"We have a good mix of rugby and league players. It is pretty close to a 50/50 split."
The Te Arawa team will play in the Waka division this year, the second tier of the tournament.
Both divisions - Waka and Rohe - involve 10 teams each.
"We are looking at building this year for the Rohe next year."
Walker said the side had plenty of motivation for the tournament, with each player representing his iwi.
"The passion is already there in that sense, to play for their iwi. So we just try and push that forward because it seems to help them step up."
Walker said the tournament was always special, bringing everyone together from across the country.
"It's just good to see people from all over New Zealand showing their skills and getting out there and being athletic.
"And it gives a lot of the younger Maori boys a chance to show their talent and get exposed, because a lot of them just play club football."
He said the Te Arawa Pa Wars held earlier this month in Rotorua helped Te Arawa name a strong side.
The pa wars included players from different codes in Rotorua playing off against one another while representing their local hapu, like Tuhourangi and Ngati Whakaue. "It provides a good platform to select players from both codes."
Walker said he captained Te Arawa when they won the national competition in 2005, which had a lot to do with the quality of the pa wars.
He conveyed a big thank-you to all the people who helped organise the tournament and the Te Arawa team this year.
Games will begin at 9.45am today and the tournament finishes tomorrow afternoon.
A feature game between the New Zealand Maori XIII and a touring Murri Queensland Indigenous team will also be held today at Puketawhero Park, at 3.30pm. Entry is $5.
Te Arawa draw at Puketawhero Park
Today:
9.45am: v He Waka Eke Noa (field 1)
12.15pm: v Pouwhareumu (field 4)
Tomorrow:
9am: v Hauraki (field 3)
11.30am: v Tuwharetoa (field 1)
Final: Being held at 2pm (field 1)
