Aotearoa Māori Netball celebrated its 21st National Tournament in Te Taitokerau with a fantastic display of netball talent.

More than 4,000 netballers and supporters turned out for the tournament in Whangārei during the Easter weekend. Ten regions from throughout the country competed for top honours in four age group grades and one premier grade.

The Waiariki rohe proved particularly strong, making the finals in four out of the five grades. And top honours for the premier grade went to Ikaroa ki te Tonga with Waiariki second.

Aotearoa Māori Netball aims to provide opportunities for Māori to participate in netball at regional, national and international levels, says tournament organiser Jonnette Chapman. “The national tournament provides the best opportunity to promote healthy lifestyle messages,” she says. “Being auahi kore, eating a balanced diet and becoming more physically active and involving the entire whanau drives this kaupapa forward.”