Indigenous peoples of Australia being welcomed at the Turangawaewae marae. Photo / Malisha Kumar
Indigenous peoples of Australia being welcomed at the Turangawaewae marae. Photo / Malisha Kumar
The Māori All Stars have welcomed their Australian competition on to Waikato soil ahead of the NRL double-header in Hamilton this weekend.
The Australian Indigenous All Stars men and women’s teams, as well as the Māori All Stars men and women’s teams, were welcomed by Māori Queen Nga waihono i te po at Turangawaewae marae in Ngāruawāhia on Wednesday.
The pōwhiri was attended by several hundred and included a cultural challenge, haka, waiata and an exchange of gifts.
Speaking to Waikato Herald after the ceremony, Mya-Hill Moana of the New Zealand Māori Ferns said the upcoming match was special to her, even if she is taking part for the fourth time, because it will be her first All Stars comp as a mother.
She debuted in 2021, but took a break last year to give birth to her son.
Mya-Hill Moana of the New Zealand Māori Ferns, takes on the competition as a mother for the first time. Photo / Malisha Kumar
Born and bred in Huntly, Moana was excited about playing in Waikato.
“It’s a big privilege to be playing here at home, especially this All Stars game, and for me personally, being my first game back as a mama,” she said.
“It honestly feels so good bringing it back home, the home of the Kīngitanga, it’s pretty much the centre of the universe.”
Her son, along with her big support network, will be supporting her on game day.
“I’m looking forward to getting out on the field, getting all the nerves out, and literally just playing on home soil for the first time.”
New Zealand Māori All Stars player Te Maire Martin, of Te Aroha and Hamilton, was also excited for the match.
Māori Queen Te Arikinui Nga wai hono i te po welcomed the teams at Turangawaewae marae yesterday. Photo / Malisha Kumar
“I’ve played in the competition before but never on home soil, and this is my hometown,” he said.
“It’s pretty cool, all the people are like familiar faces.”
He enjoyed welcoming the Indigenous All Stars to Waikato, and meeting the Māori Queen.
Te Maire Martin of the New Zealand Māori All Stars. Photo / Malisha Kumar
“To be able to meet the Māori Queen and get that close to her, it’s pretty cool,” Martin said.
“There’s a big weight on her shoulders, and some of the sacrifices she makes to do her job, is huge. It’s a real privilege to be able to meet her.”
The matches mark only the second time that the transtasman All Stars competition has been held in New Zealand.
To celebrate this, Hamilton City Council has organised events leading up to the game, including a free community clinic at 10am on Saturday at Willoughby Park, including free activities, giveaways and appearances from All Stars players.
Council’s general manager of Destinations Group, Sean Murray, said the lead-up events were a “key part” of the competition.
He said the event is about more than games, and is about celebrating culture, connection, and community.
“These moments matter. They help inspire young people, strengthen cultural pride, and ensure the benefits of hosting an event like this are felt across the city, not just inside the stadium.”
The Harvey Norman All Stars game day,kicks offon February 15, from 2pm at FMG Stadium Waikato.
Malisha Kumar is a multimedia journalist based in Hamilton. She joined the Waikato Herald in 2023 after working for Radio 1XX in Whakatāne.
