March 06, 2026

#regional: Te Wero Challenge Brings Major Rugby Event to Nūhaka

Dale Husband Posted On March 6, 2026

Dale Husband #regional: Te Wero Challenge Brings Major Rugby Event to Nūhaka

The small East Coast community of Nūhaka is preparing for a major rugby showdown this weekend as teams from across Hawke’s Bay gather to compete for one of the region’s most prized trophies.

The Te Wero Challenge will see clubs from Ōtāne, Tamatea and Māhia travel to Nūhaka to battle for the taonga Te Wero Taiaha, a trophy that organisers say carries deep significance in Hawke’s Bay rugby circles.

Nūhaka currently holds the taonga and will defend the title on home ground, with local supporters expected to turn out in force for what many describe as one of the most important club fixtures on the regional rugby calendar.

For the Nūhaka Rugby Club, the event represents more than a single match. The club has recently been revived after a period of inactivity, bringing new energy to the community and reconnecting local players and supporters with the sport.

Coach Dane Baxter says the revival of the team has been driven by strong community support and a determination to rebuild rugby in the area.

Local organisers say the Te Wero Challenge has become a symbol of pride and rivalry between East Coast and Hawke’s Bay clubs, with the taiaha trophy representing strength, courage and the spirit of competition.

The presence of teams from across the region is expected to transform the small community for the weekend, with whānau, supporters and former players gathering to celebrate rugby and community connection.

Events like the Te Wero Challenge also highlight the important role grassroots sport continues to play in regional communities, where rugby remains closely tied to identity, camaraderie and local pride.

For many in Nūhaka, the weekend is about more than defending a title. It is a chance to showcase the resurgence of the local club and bring the community together around a shared kaupapa.

As the teams prepare to take the field, organisers say the message is simple: Nūhaka is ready to defend the taonga and prove that rugby remains at the heart of the community.