NZ Maori Schoolboys team reconnects with heritage

The start of what's hoped to be a significant push to promote Maori in New Zealand cricket takes place at Wellington’s Karori Park today.

The inaugural New Zealand Maori Schools team, including three players in the national under-19 squad heading to Bangladesh on April 10, will play a Governor General’s XI.

The idea is for more Maori fixtures to eventually become part of the New Zealand domestic schedule, leading to more Maori involvement in the sport.

Three bodies, New Zealand Cricket, the New Zealand Cricket Players’ Association and the New Zealand Secondary School sports council, all played a part in getting what is intended to be an annual fixture off the ground.

"It's an opportunity for us to profile the sport to Maori, who we know are under-represented in cricket," Andrew Tara, NZC’s network and participation advisor, said.

"We want Maori to know cricket is now more accessible and welcoming."

New Zealand has a not so well-known history of Maori involvement in cricket that dates back to the early 19th century.

In 1832, missionary Henry Williams wrote about watching a game involving Maori in Paihia, as did naturalist Charles Darwin, three years later in Northland. By the turn of the century Maori club and school teams were active, especially in the North Island.

Several Maori players represented early New Zealand women’s teams – including Rona Williams, who captained the side from 1954-1961.

In 2001, a Maori side including future internationals Jesse Ryder and Peter McGlashan, took part in the first and, so far, only ICC tournament in Auckland against other Pacific Nations.

Other players with Maori heritage to have played for New Zealand in recent years include Adam Parore, Heath Davis, Daryl Tuffey, Tama Canning, and Kyle Mills; women internationals Maia Lewis and Sara McGlashan – along with current stars Trent Boult, Lea Tahuhu and Suzie Bates.

"It’s been really humbling how all the associations and schools have got on board with the idea, which we hope will continue," said Mr Tara.

"The associations have been really pro-active in recognising that Maori have heritage in the game and are interested in playing."

The three players heading to Bangladesh are batsmen Rhys Mariu of the Ngai Tahu iwi and St Andrew’s College in Christchurch; Ollie White of Ngati Apa and Auckland Grammar, and wicketkeeper/batsman Ruben Love of Palmerston North Boys’ High School and Te Ati Awa.

Love seems set for a bright sporting future. He was a member of the Maori secondary schools under 18 rugby team last year.

"This is different to just going out and playing for your school. You have a purpose behind you," Love said.

As for the notion of strengthening Māori presence in cricket, Love said: "It will definitely be huge, a really good investment."

He’s looking forward to Bangladesh and has his sights set on a place in the New Zealand team for next January’s under-19 World Cup in South Africa.

The hope is Thursday’s game is a good contest but Tara believes the Māori dimension is the most important part of it.

The players have been engaging in multi-cultural activities and bonding exercises since assembling in Wellington, including practising a song for their stay at the Tapu Te Ranga Marae in Island Bay.

They attended BLACKCAPS training at the Basin Reserve today, where they were presented with their caps by Trent Boult.

"It was a huge honour to present the caps," he said.

"It's a great initiative by NZC and the players association and it's an awesome opportunity for these young boys."

One spinoff from this week could be players enhancing their awareness of their heritage, Tara said. 

"Some of them might come here without any knowledge of their Māori heritage.

"The hope is they might go home and want to find out a bit more about their iwi and reconnect with that side of their family."

There are also small elements already in place which honour Māori – for example, player-of-the-match awards for internationals now consist of a pounamu pendant rather than a magnum of champagne.

And this summer both the BLACKCAPS and the WHITE FERNS celebrated Waitangi Day by wearing AOTEAROA shirts for the T20 series against India.

Tara hopes the obvious extension from this week will be adding a girls Māori team to the programme.

"I can’t see any reason why this wouldn’t continue to develop.

"Considering the calibre of players nominated (46 players from around the country); the interest we’ve had, and the discussions with the associations and within NZC, there seems to be a genuine appetite.

"NZC’s over-riding strategy is for cricket to be a game for all New Zealanders, irrespective of ethnicity, religion, gender or socio-economic status.

"This is one of the ways we hope to extend the game’s reach and make it more accessible to under-represented communities."

The Governor General’s XI include former test batsman Hamish Marshall and a range of players aged around 18-19, including several New Zealand under-19 representatives.

Governor General’s XI:
Tim Robinson (Wellington U19s)
Hamish Marshall (Former Black Cap)
Gareth Severin (Wellington U19s)
Micah Conroy (NZ 19s)
Jesse Taskhoff (NZ 19s)
Nick Greenwood (Wellington U19s)
Dion Bennett (Former Northern Districts)
Alex Ridley (Wellington Firebirds)
Dylan Sharma (Wellington U19s)
Lauchie Johns (Wellington Firebirds)
Jono Sole (Former Auckland Aces)