Ko Matou | About Us

E ngā Iwi, e ngā reo, e ngā karangatanga maha, e ngā hou e wha, tēnā koutou katoa. 

Māori Touch NZ is the official Māori Sports Organisation for Touch in Aotearoa. We are responsible for supporting and developing the sport of Touch in Māori communities alongside our hapū, rohe, iwi and takiwā.

Touch is an inclusive sport, that continues to be popular with Māori across the motu. While our sport is dynamic and entertaining, our kaupapa will always be underpinned by whanaungatanga and enhancing the mana of our people. 

Māori Touch NZ sits under the umbrella of the parent organisation, the National Māori Touch Trust. This trust was established in 1998, after consultation with hapū, rohe, iwi and takiwā from throughout Aotearoa. The purpose of the Trust is to support the aspirations of māori whānau, and strengthen tikanga, te reo, whanaungatanga and hauora through the game of touch.

Our Mission is: Māori will be empowered and strengthen in tikanga, te reo, whanaungatanga, and hauora through the game of touch.

Our guiding principles are: 

• Mana (Authority)
• Rangatiratanga (Self-determination)
• Oritetanga (Equal Opportunity)
• Kaitiakitanga (Custodianship)
• Whakapapa (Connection through genealogy)

Māori Touch NZ consists of an executive charged with achieving the Trust's outcomes. These include:

• holding an annual Māori Touch NZ National Touch Tournament;
• selecting national teams to represent Māori Touch NZ at international competition;
• support the development of Māori touch organisations that represent iwi, hapu, waka and takiwa throughout Aotearoa;
• support the participation and development of Māori in the sport of touch.