It was a double threepeat at Nga Whakataetae Kirikiti Māori ā-Motu (NZC Māori T20 Nationals) in Tāmaki Makarau as both Central Districts Māori Wāhine and Tāmaki Makaurau Tāne defended their respective titles — again.

That was no mean feat by either side, with the competition hot this season, sprinkled with Domestic and pathway players. 

CD Wāhine coach Kerry Tomlinson and kāpene Georgia Atkinson could take special pride in leading a largely new group to this national title again, with Marlborough’s young pace bowler Fenella Cooney taking the first ever five-wicket bag at the biennial tournament — just the third time the tāne and wāhine titles had been contested since the inaugural tournaments in 2023.

 

 

As captain, Atkinson has lifted the Rona McKenzie Taonga at all three editions, working closely with Tomlinson to mentor the group — while also leading the way with the bat. 

She was unbeaten with 57 not out (53 balls) against Tāmaki Makaurau, then delivered a matchwinning 88 not out (66) against a strong Northern Māori side that had featured a century partnership between Northern reps Marama Downes and Skye Bowden in the first innings.

 

 

Our Wāhine had an opening round bye this year, with ebullient Kūki ‘Airani (Cook Island Women) setting the early pace. But by the time the two teams met each other in Wednesday morning’s final round, CD Wāhine was assured of the title.

Finishing unbeaten still stuck out as a goal, and Cooney gave her side a brilliant opportunity to do so after Atkinson elected to bowl first in the last game.

 

 

It was the diminutive Cooney’s first bowl all tournament, but it didn’t show as she removed the Cooks’ Northern Brave rep Carol Agafili, then blasted out the middle order for a fine haul of 4-1-16-5 — helped by some brilliant, energetic catching that had been a feature of both CD teams at Lloyd Elsmore Park.

Chasing 115 for the win, Atkinson dropped herself down the order again — she’d given others a bat against the Te Waipounamu/Whanganui-a-Tara, and the confidence they had taken came in handy as Kūki ‘Airani fought hard with the ball.

Ultimately Atkinson strode in to again finish undefeated as she helped bring home a four-wicket win. 

Cricket results form only one half of this important kaupapa every two years, and CD Māori was also honoured to receive recognition awards for their leadership in te ao Māori off the park.

Hei piringa speaks to the group whose nurturing nature has created a safe space for people to take steps into te ao Māori, and Central Districts Māori was named the kaitiaki of this taonga.

Inspired by how the kahikātea tree grows and supports the forest ecosystem, the tournament also recognised a player who, through their care of others and willingness to step into challenging spaces, has laid a foundation for others to take steps into te ao Māori.

CD Māori's Molly Noema-Barnett, attending her third whakataetae, was named the kaitiaki Wāhine of this taonga.

 

Central Districts Māori Wāhine | RESULTS

🟢 beat Tāmaki Makaurau by 8 wickets (Georgia Atkinson 57*, Ella Wanahi 3/15)

🟢 beat Te Waipounamu/Whanganui-a-Tara, (Ella Wanahi 36*, Nina Rangiwahia 17*; Brooke Te wake 3/12, Charlotte Blackmore 2/15)

🟢 beat Northern Māori by 8 wickets (Georgia Atkinson 88* (66), Kerry Tomlinson 21; Madison Brown 2/12)

🟢 beat Kūki ‘Airani by 4 wickets (Fenella Cooney 5/16, Tiana Whitton-Walker 2/25; Madison Brown 48 (32), Georgia Atkinson 26* (15)

 

Final Points

16    Central Districts Māori Wāhine

10    Te Waipounamu/Whanganui-a-Tara 

 8    Kūki Airani 

 4    Tāmaki Makarau Auckland Wāhine

 2    Northern Māori Wāhine

 

CD Māori Tāne also made a strong start to the nationals with a fresh-look squad featuring a number of development pathway youngsters.

Spinning allrounder Bayley Latter captained the Tāne, while the most experienced player in the squad — Napier Tech’s destructive Izaiah Lange — led the way with the bat as he got the side off to textbook power starts.

Lange’s unbeaten 93* off just 60 balls (with seven fours and five sixes) was the difference in the opening game against a good side from Te Whanganui-a-Tara, who lost by just 17 runs.

 

 

He enjoyed support from Hawke’s Bay’s young spinner and batter Presley Kupa who also hit a six in his 22*, then a team effort with the ball and some sharp catching kept Te Whanganui-a-Tara in check in a gutsy chase.

The next morning our Tāne powered to an eight-wicket win against Te Waipounamu, who were all out for 137 after another good all-round effort with the ball.

Lange backed up his opening round knock with 58 off 40 balls (two fours, six sixes); Brodie Bennett (34) contributed three more sixes and Latter and Marley Hekenui one apiece as they chased down their target with enthusiasm. 

The team was now the early leader on the points table, but it would prove a tournament of two halves after coming up against two tough sides from the upper North.

The defending champion Aucklanders had Auckland Aces allrounder Jock McKenzie for this match as well as captain Jamal Todd, and sent Central in.

Despite CD Māori posting a healthy total of 193/4, it wouldn’t prove enough this time. They then came up against Northern Māori in their final round on the Tuesday afternoon, and hit their only real speed bump as they crumpled in the chase against a challenging attack. 

So it was an encouraging two from two for CD Māori this year, but cricket is only half this tournament’s purpose. 

All teams also participated in tīkanga Māori (cultural activities and learning), including a guided visit to learn about the local Maunga, and an evening performing for each other at Tātai Hono Marae in Grafton.

 

Central Districts Māori Tāne | RESULTS

 

🟢 beat Te Whanganui-a-Tara by 17 runs (Izaiah Lange 93* (60), Presley Kupa 22*; Bayley Latter 2/7, Kayse Holdaway 2/26)

🟢 beat Te Waipounamu by 8 wickets lost to Tāmaki Makaurau by 6 wickets (Riley Senior 3/39, Bayley Latter 2/24, Akira Gray 2/24; Izaiah Lange 58 (40), Brodie Bennett 34 (29), Bayley Latter 25* (22)

🟢 lost to Tāmaki Makaurau by 6 wickets (Kayse Holdaway 3/29; Izaiah Lange 49 (37), Brodie Bennett 34 (27), Sam Payne 49* (24), Presley Kupa 22* (9)

🟢 lost to Northern Māori by 83 runs (Fergus Benefield 3/19, Riley Senior 2/18, Akira Gray 2/15)

 

Final Points

12    Tāmaki Makarau Auckland Tāne   

 8    Northern Māori Tāne 

 8    Central Districts Māori Tāne 

 8    Te Whanganui-a-Tara Tāne 

 4    Te Waipounamu Tāne 

 

 

Article added: Thursday 22 October 2026