2026 Māori Touch Nationals

Venue: Rotorua International Stadium

Dates: Saturday 5 & Sunday 6 December, 2026

Note: EOI's to open in June

2026 Proposed Grades:

  • U18 Taitamāhine (U18 Girls)
  • U18 Taitamatāne (U18 Boys)
  • U21 Hanumi (U21 Mixed)
  • Hanumi (Open Mixed)
  • Wāhine (Open Womens)
  • Tāne (Open Mens)
  • 30 Tāne (30 Mens)
  • 40 Tāne (40 Mens)
  • Pakeke Hanumi (Senior Mixed:30 Mens/27 Womens)
  • Pāhake Hanumi (Masters Mixed: 40 Mens/35 Womens)*
  • 35 Wāhine (35 Womens)*

Team Entry Costs (2025 costs): 

  • $400.00 (incl. GST) per youth team (U18 Girls, U18 Boys, U21 Mixed)
  • $600.00 (incl. GST) per senior team (Opens & Masters grades) 

Age grade criteria for 2025 Tournament: 

  • Under 18 grade(s): Born in 2008 or after
  • Under 21 grade(s): Born in 2005 or after
  • 30 Mens and Senior Mixed grade(s): Tāne (30+): Born in 1996 or prior / Wāhine (27+) Born in 1999 or prior
  • 35 Womens (35+): Born in 1991 or prior
  • 40 Mens: Tāne (40+): Born in 1986 or prior

Tournament Director: Harley Wall Email: secretary@maoritouch.co.nz

2026 Key Dates

Mid-June: Team EOIs open

Mid-July: Team EOIs close and grades confirmed

1 Aug: Team Invoices Generated

1 Sep: Team Deposit Due ($100 Youth, $150 Open/Masters) 

6 Oct: Sporty Registrations Live

1 Nov: Remaining Team Fees Due

15 Nov: Draft Draw Template Released

28 Nov: Confirmed Draw Released

1 Dec: Managers Meeting via Teams (7:00pm)

3 Dec: Final Team Registration due incl. Player Numbers

5 Dec:  Day 1 of tournament, Event Pōwhiri at International Stadium (7:50am) 

5 Dec: Pō Whakangahau at Energy Events Centre

6 Dec: Day 2 of tournament

2025 Tournament Draw

2025 Key Documents

The Kaupapa

Māori Touch Nationals has been a significant event on the Touch calendar, since its origins in 1998. The event was hosted in Hopuhopu until 2013, before moving to its current home in Rotorua. The tournament provides opportunity for our whānau to represent their hapū, rohe, iwi and takiwā on the touch field. 

A significant part of the Māori Touch Nationals is the Pō Whakangahau on Saturday night. All rohe are able to celebrate their māoritanga by performing their waiata and haka on stage.

Taonga are awarded to each of grade winners at Māori Touch Nationals. Recognition is also given to the best male and female player, referee of the tournament, the best & fairest rohe and rohe of the tournament.