Māori sporting greats

A DigitalNZ Story by National Library Services to Schools

This story provides links to resources about some of Aotearoa New Zealand's Māori sporting greats.

MĀORI AND SPORT

Since European sports were introduced to New Zealand in the 19th century Māori have taken them up with enthusiasm. Some, such as rugby and netball, have proved more popular with Māori than others. Many of New Zealand’s sporting greats have been Māori, including rugby player George Nēpia and, more recently, squash player Leilani Rorani.

Source: Māori and sport – hākinakina, Te Ara  — the Encyclopedia of New Zealand

HERBERT SLADE (NGĀPUHI)

Image: Herbert Slade, late 19th century

Herbert Slade, late 19th century

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

GEORGE NĒPIA (NGĀTI POROU, NGĀTI KAHUNGUNU)

Image: George Nēpia

George Nēpia

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: George Nepia

George Nepia

Alexander Turnbull Library

MARGARET MATANGI (TE ĀTI AWA, TARANAKI, NGĀTI MUTUNGA)

Image: 1938 representative team

1938 representative team

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

RUIA MORRISON (TE ARAWA, NGĀTI TŪWHARETOA)

Image: Ruia Morrison

Ruia Morrison

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: RUIA MORRISON

RUIA MORRISON

Our Wāhine

WAKA NATHAN (NGĀPUHI, TE ROROA, WAIKATO TAINUI)

Image: W. J. Nathan

W. J. Nathan

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Waka Nathan

Waka Nathan

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

RIKI ELLISON (NGĀI TAHU)

WAIMARAMA TAUMAUNU (NGĀTI POROU, NGĀI TAHU)

Image: Coaches: Waimarama Taumaunu

Coaches: Waimarama Taumaunu

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

WYNTON RUFER (NGĀTI POROU)

Image: All Whites souvenir biscuit tin

All Whites souvenir biscuit tin

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Wynton Rufer, 1992

Wynton Rufer, 1992

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

WAYNE ‘BUCK’ SHELFORD (NGĀPUHI)

Image: North Harbour vs Counties, 1987

North Harbour vs Counties, 1987

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

MILLIE KHAN (NGĀTI RANGITIHI) 

Image: Millie Khan, Auckland, 1990

Millie Khan, Auckland, 1990

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Millie Khan, 'Queen of the green'

Millie Khan, 'Queen of the green'

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

ADAM PARORE (NGĀPUHI)

Image: Adam Parore

Adam Parore

Radio New Zealand

Image: Adam Parore

Adam Parore

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

MAIA LEWIS (NGĀTI WHATUA, NGĀTI MANIAPOTO)

Image: Photo: Maia Lewis 1996

Photo: Maia Lewis 1996

New Zealand Cricket Museum

Image: Maia Lewis

Maia Lewis

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

MICHAEL CAMPBELL (NGĀTI RUANUI, NGĀ RAURU)

Image: Michael Campbell, 2005

Michael Campbell, 2005

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Michael Campbell

Michael Campbell

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Cartoon about Michael Campbell, 2005

Cartoon about Michael Campbell, 2005

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

 PHIL TATAURANGI (NGĀTI KAHUNGUNU) 

Image: Driven

Driven

NZ On Screen

Image: Eisenhower Trophy team, 1992

Eisenhower Trophy team, 1992

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

NOELINE TAURUA (NGĀTI KAWA, NGĀTI REHIA, NGĀTI WHATUA)

Image: Noeline Taura-Barnett, Netballer

Noeline Taura-Barnett, Netballer

South Canterbury Museum

RUBEN WIKI (NGĀ PUHI, TAINUI, NGĀTI HĀMOA)

Image: Ruben Wiki

Ruben Wiki

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

SHANE BOND (NGĀI TAHU)

Image: Cartoon about Shane Bond

Cartoon about Shane Bond

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Bowing out. 14 May 2010

Bowing out. 14 May 2010

Alexander Turnbull Library

STACEY JONES (NGĀTI MANIAPOTO, NGĀPUHI)

Image: Stacey Jones

Stacey Jones

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

FARAH PALMER (NGĀTI MANIAPOTO)

Image: Farah Palmer

Farah Palmer

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Farah Palmer with women's rugby World Cup

Farah Palmer with women's rugby World Cup

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: FARAH PALMER

FARAH PALMER

Our Wāhine

LEILANI RORANI (NGĀTI HINE, NGĀI TE RANGI, TAINUI)

Image: Squash player Leilani Joyce

Squash player Leilani Joyce

South Canterbury Museum

Image: Leilani Rorani, 2002

Leilani Rorani, 2002

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

PERO CAMERON (NGĀTI HINE)

Image: Pero Cameron

Pero Cameron

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

SHANE CAMERON (RONGOMAIWAHINE)

Image: Shane Cameron. 13 April, 2008

Shane Cameron. 13 April, 2008

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Shane Cameron fighting Kevin Montiy, 2008

Shane Cameron fighting Kevin Montiy, 2008

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

BENJI MARSHALL (NGĀI TŪHOE)

Image: Benji Marshall. 22 September, 2005.

Benji Marshall. 22 September, 2005.

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Benji Marshall with the 2008 World Cup

Benji Marshall with the 2008 World Cup

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

PIRI WEEPU (TE WHAKATOHEA, NGĀI TAHU)

Image: Piri Weepu. 11 September 2010

Piri Weepu. 11 September 2010

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: All Blacks versus Pumas

All Blacks versus Pumas

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

LISA CARRINGTON (TE ATIANGA-A-MĀHAKI, NGĀTI POROU)

Image: Dame Lisa Carrington

Dame Lisa Carrington

Radio New Zealand

SUZIE BATES (NGĀI TAHU)

CAMERON LESLIE (NGĀPUHI)

TRENT BOULT (NGĀI TAHU, NGĀTI POROU, NGĀI TE RANGI)

SHANNON MCILROY (NGĀTI POROU)

Image: Shannon McIlroy

Shannon McIlroy

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

PORTIA WOODMAN (NGĀPUHI)

SARAH HIRINE (NGĀTI KAHUNGUNU)

This story was curated and compiled by Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa | National Library of New Zealand, Services to Schools staff, July 2022.