With the inaugural Oceania Challenge looming large next month, the Aotearoa Bowls Board (ABB) have put forward a star-studded Aotearoa Maori Team to contest the silverware in Auckland.

Hosted at the Blockhouse Bay Bowling Club, the 2023 Oceania Challenge will include teams from Tonga, Samoa, Papua New Guinea, Norfolk Island, Niue, Fiji, Cook Island, Tokelau, Australia and an U26 New Zealand side. The format will see players selected in singles and fours, and triples and pairs combinations - with the playing order yet to be determined by the selection panel.

Earlier this month, five men and five women were named to form the Aotearoa Maori contingent – with a mix of vast experience and youthful talent shaping up as one of the teams to watch.

Fresh off her maiden national title with Dean Gilshnan in the mixed pairs, Lisa White will spearhead the women’s side, ably supported by Karen Hema, Mina Paul, Natarsha Grimshaw and Gaylene Kanawa. This side represents a skilled line-up, with all players featuring in the latter stages of national competitions over the last few seasons, with Hema also skipping the women’s triples to success in last season’s champion of champions’ event.

Meanwhile, the men’s side equally boasts some high-profile names, with national men’s fours runner-up Raika Gregory, national champion of champions fours gold medallist Nathan Goodin, Waiariki representative Michael Staite and upcoming stars Hamish Kape and Kaylin Huwyler rounding out a powerhouse five.

Kape has recently enjoyed success skipping his respective fours teams, winning the 2023 Taranaki Open Fours (also with Huwyler), before going on to back up his performance at the Aotearoa National Bowls Championships in Christchurch, teaming up with Kelly Hill, Levi Davis and Kevan Sellers to take out top honour in the fours (defeating Huwyler in the final).

Speaking on behalf of ABB, Councillor Kevan Sellers said it was a great opportunity to have a Maori side involved, pointing out future incentives for the team to perform well.

“This is a great way to showcase our Pasifika and emerging talent at an international event, with the potential for it to be added to the calendar on a more regular basis,” Kevan said.

“It could also allow for sponsorship opportunities and recognition of achievement for future engagement and selection with other events – both national and international. I know our team are really looking to bring some culture and good energy to Blockhouse Bay.”

The event will see 10 participating nations divided into two sections of five in both the men’s and women’s field, with the two section winners playing for gold and the runners-up contesting bronze. There will also be an overall trophy for the best nation, with all section standings and medal games counting towards the final wash-up.

The 2023 Oceania Challenge will be held from 14-17 April at Blockhouse Bay Bowling Club, Auckland.