Aotearoa NZ Māori Rugby League pulls five major tournaments from Rotorua

The league organisation’s chairman John Devonshire said the tournaments had grown since Rotorua started hosting them 13 years ago.

A 2024 study showed 6019 players took part over the six tournaments.

Devonshire said those players, plus thousands more coaches, managers, family members and supporters, came from all over New Zealand and Australia.

They brought in millions of dollars to the city over the years, benefiting the accommodation, hospitality, tourism and general business sectors.

Devonshire said holding the tournaments in Rotorua made sense because of its central location and good accommodation options for large groups.

The tournaments’ major sponsor, One Foundation, was also based in Rotorua.

Devonshire said the decision had been made, however, to “freshen up” their tournaments by “sharing the love around the motu”.

Rotorua has lost five of six Māori rugby league tournaments hosted annually in the city. Photo / Supplied

Tournaments in 2026 will be held in Hāwera, Kerikeri, Hopuhopu near Ngāruawāhia and two in Auckland.

He said it was great to be able to give other regions an understanding of the value of the tournaments.

While a need for change was the main reason for their decision, he said he hoped the Rotorua Lakes Council reflected on what the city would miss out on.

“It is nice to be able to give the opportunities to the rest of the motu to understand what it is like to host tournaments of this size.”

Devonshire said he knew it would be a blow for many Rotorua businesses involved in the events industry.

Five of the six Aotearoa New Zealand Māori Rugby League tournaments will not be hosted in Rotorua next year. Photo / Supplied

Devonshire said it would help if the Rotorua Lakes Council was “a bit more welcoming, receptive and co-operative” in future, given the large investment and benefit to the area.

“We love Rotorua as a venue, it’s centrally located and we have built up great relationships with people in the city over the years. This won’t be forever, we will be back.”

Council parks and open spaces manager Rob Pitkethley said all events benefited the community, and it would welcome the tournaments back.

He said there had been “no approach from organisers to discuss any specific concerns they have or options for keeping these tournaments in Rotorua”.

Rotorua Lakes Council parks and open spaces manager Rob Pitkethley. Photo / Laura Smith

“It is not unusual for events like this to move around but we would be happy to have further discussions.”

Pitkethley said the team had always worked hard to try to accommodate the popular events, which had grown over time.

The three biggest tournaments outgrew Puketawhero Park and moved to the Westbrook fields.

He said the council worked with organisers regarding field bookings and assisting with logistics, and previously provided event management support when it was needed.

He said field and facility use costs were discounted to recognise economic and social benefits the events brought. This approach was taken for all tournaments and community events.

The league tournaments also received event funding through RotoruaNZ.

A RotoruaNZ spokesperson said in a statement it supported events like these that created economic impact for the city and drove visitation.

Support for the event had not changed and RotoruaNZ was happy to talk with organisers about future opportunities, “especially given Rotorua’s enthusiasm and appetite for rugby league”.

Rotorua Mayor Tania Tapsell. Photo / Laura Smith

Rotorua Mayor Tania Tapsell said she was “deeply saddened” the five tournaments were going elsewhere.

She said the council had “often gone above and beyond” to welcome and support the events.

“Even as mayor, I have proactively reached out and supported them because we are ambitious about the future of rugby league in Rotorua and the many players involved.”

She said Rotorua was home to many sporting events because of its ability to host, affordable accommodation and central location.

Tapsell said the league organisation’s decision may impact the cost and experience for tournament participants, and she encouraged it to consider their feedback.

“We hope to see them return to Rotorua as soon as possible.”

What local businesses think

Kerris Brown owns Aria’s Farm, a large lodge that counted on repeat business from the tournament sector.

“This will cause a substantial loss of income for us … These groups have told me time and again that they love the place for their larger groups.”

Aria’s Farm in Rotorua. Photo / Supplied

She said Rotorua’s accommodation sector had worked so hard to service the team events, and she felt the rug was being pulled from under them.

Polynesian Spa chief executive officer Gert Taljaard said losing the tournaments was disappointing, but he did not believe it would materially impact the business or destination.

”I am of the view that our city’s events calendar for 2026 is well served from a volume and value perspective …”

2026 Aotearoa New Zealand Māori Rugby League tournaments

April 24-26: Hāwera, Taranaki – All kōtiro/girls from Under-13 to Under-17.May 30-31: Bruce Pulman Park, Auckland – rangatahi boys, Under-15, Under-17July 10-11: Kerikeri – teina boys, Under-13 and Under-14August 23-24: Hopuhopu, Waikato – mātātahi boys and girls, Under-19September 26-27: Rotorua – tamariki Under-10, Under-11, Under-12October 24-25: Bruce Pulman Park, Auckland – tuakana/adults.

Kelly Makiha is a senior journalist who has reported for the Rotorua Daily Post for more than 25 years, covering mainly police, court, human interest and social issues.