As the Matariki stars rise to mark the Māori New Year — a time for remembrance, reflection, and the promise of new beginnings — New Zealand’s inline hockey community prepares to celebrate a decade of something truly special.

What began in 2015 with the naming of the first NZ Māori Team has grown into a powerful movement. Back then, Inline Hockey New Zealand (IHNZ) made a commitment to celebrate and promote Māori talent within the sport. That commitment has since opened doors for countless young players — rangatahi — to grow under the guidance of experienced leaders — rangatira — while finding pride in their identity both on and off the rink.

In 2022, the kaupapa deepened with the launch of the Matariki Series, a uniquely Aotearoa event that weaves together te ao Māori and the fast-paced, high-energy world of inline hockey. Held annually over Matariki Weekend, the series is now a key fixture on the inline calendar, offering players and whānau a space to celebrate culture, competition, and connection.

This year’s event — taking place 20–22 June at the New Plymouth Ravens rink — marks ten years since that very first Māori Team was named. And what better way to honour that legacy than with a weekend that brings together eight teams, each named after one of the stars in the Matariki cluster: Tupu-ā-rangi, Waipuna-ā-rangi, Waitī, Ururangi, Tupu-ā-nuku, Waitā, Pōhutukawa, and Hiwa-i-te-rangi.

Each team’s identity is reflected in their uniform — a stunning combination of symbolism and design. The Patiki (flounder fish), a symbol of hospitality, features prominently in the IHNZ patiki pattern, inspired by the flounder’s diamond shape and woven with the colours of the Matariki stars. Players also wear the Manaia, whose three fingers represent birth, life, and death — embodying the journey of each player and the whakapapa that connects them across generations.

But the Matariki Series is more than just a weekend of hockey. It’s a living expression of Māori values in sport — where kaupapa is as present as competition. The event is shaped by the principles of kaitiakitanga (leadership and accountability), whakaiti (humility), whanaungatanga (building relationships), and manaakitanga (support and care). These principles guide every interaction, every team talk, every pass and goal — transforming the series into something much deeper than a tournament.

As IHNZ Chair Chris Morgan put it, “The IHNZ Board is extremely proud to support our rangatahi and look toward their future by supporting them through sport that celebrates their strengths and promotes the sport of Inline Hockey to all.”

IHNZ Kaumātua Willy Harvey echoed that sentiment:

“Being able to incorporate and celebrate kaupapa Māori values and principles into Inline Hockey adds significant value to the sport and enhances the mana for our players and their whānau.”

To ensure this kaupapa is grounded and enduring, the Matariki Committee was formed in 2022. Their work led to the creation of the IHNZ Māori Inline Hockey Strategic Plan, which now guides the long-term development of Māori participation in the sport. The strategy focuses not just on growing numbers but on growing leaders — and in 2025, this vision became a reality through the first nohomarae-based development camp, led by coach Shane Clark.

“This is about fostering and supporting the development of our rangatahi,” said Shane, “and their transition into becoming the next generation of leaders within our sport — both on and off the rink.”

That spirit of growth, identity, and aspiration comes alive across the three days of the Matariki Series. It all begins with a pōwhiri at 5pm on Friday, setting the tone with ceremony and connection. The first round of games follows, with two more rounds on Saturday — punctuated by a shared hāngī lunch — before the final rounds are played out on Sunday. All games will be livestreamed on the IHNZ YouTube channel, ensuring the kaupapa can be shared with whānau far and wide.

A major highlight of the weekend will be the Exhibition Game on Saturday night, where a New Zealand All Stars Team will face off against the NZ Māori Team in a showcase of elite inline talent.

All Stars Coach Scott Randell is ready for the challenge:

“I’m really excited about our upcoming game against the Māori team. We’ve got a lot of strong talent on our roster, and I’m confident that we’ll bring our best to the rink. The Māori team is always a tough opponent, and this matchup will be a great challenge. It’s games like these that really push us to show what we’re capable of.”

Best of all, entry to the event is completely free. Whether you’re part of the inline community or just keen to see what it’s all about, this Matariki weekend is a chance to experience a truly unique celebration — where sport meets culture, and the stars guide the way forward.