December 21, 2023
Aotearoa Māori Rugby League a winner
Veteran sports commentator Ken Laban says the progress of Aotearoa Māori Rugby League stood out in 2023.
Other highlights included an improver performance from the Warriors, a surge in women’s soccer and rugby, record-breaking feats from Taranaki-Ngaruahine sprinter Zoe Hobbs and Ngāi Tahu swimmer Erika Fairweather , and Tai Tokerau boxers Lani Daniels and Mea Motu defending their world titles.
But it was in league where kaupapa Māori met sport.
“So from a culture perspective, a sporting perspective, an engagement with rangatahi perspective – if there was a prize given out in 2023 for the best sporting organisation in New Zealand – I would be giving it to the Aotearoa Māori Rugby League.” Mr Laban says.
Aotearoa Māori Rugby League’s tournaments attracted big fields and drew thousands of new participants into the code.