New Zealand Māori Golf Association

🌟⛳️ MĀTARIKI TOURNAMENTS ACROSS AOTEAROA 🌟⛳️

As we celebrate Matariki and Puanga, Māori golfers throughout Aotearoa will come together on Friday 10 July 2026 to honour our traditions, reconnect with whānau and friends, and celebrate the game we love! (love to hate sometimes...)

Matariki marks the Māori New Year and the rising of the Matariki star cluster. For many, Matariki signals a time to remember those who have passed, celebrate the present, and plan for the future. For some iwi in the western regions of Aotearoa, Puanga (Rigel) is the star that heralds the Māori New Year and carries the same significance of reflection, renewal, and hope.

Golf tournaments held during this special time are more than just competitions. They are opportunities to strengthen whanaungatanga, celebrate our culture, share stories, and bring our communities together on the fairways.

⛳ To all clubs and regions hosting Matariki and Puanga tournaments on 10 July or the long weekend:
Thank you for continuing this proud tradition and creating spaces where golf and culture come together.

📸 If your club is hosting a Matariki or Puanga tournament, share your photos, results, and stories with NZMGA so we can showcase the amazing mahi happening throughout the country.

✨ Remember. Reflect. Reconnect. Renew.

From all of us at the New Zealand Māori Golf Association, we wish everyone a safe and enjoyable Matariki season.

Kia ora whānau,

The New Zealand Māori Golf Association is pleased to confirm key venue details for the 2027 NZ Māori National Tournament to be hosted in Ngāti Kahungunu.
Monday 4th to Friday 8th January 2027.

We have now secured two host courses for the week:

🏌️‍♂️ Waiohiki Golf Club
• Senior Men & Ladies
• Intermediate Men
• Junior Men
• All Matchplay Finals

🏌️‍♀️ Flaxmere Golf Club
• Masters
• Golden Girls
• Rangatahi

As you all know, things may change! Depending on final entry numbers, a third course at Maraenui Golf Club may also be utilised. We will keep all members updated as planning progresses and entries come in.

⛳ The Friday Corporate Day Tournament will be held at Bridge Pa Golf Club.

This is shaping up to be a special week of golf, whanaungatanga, and Māori excellence in Ngāti Kahungunu. We look forward to welcoming golfers and whānau from across Aotearoa and Australia for another memorable Nationals.

Please keep an eye on our channels for further updates, accommodation information, registrations, and tournament details.

Have a mean long weekend and happy golfing!

Ngā mihi nui,
New Zealand Māori Golf Association

BLAST FROM THE PAST - for more than two decades, Anaru Reedy has been recognised as one of the most accomplished Māori amateur golfers in Aotearoa. Known for his calm temperament, elite ball-striking and competitive consistency, Reedy has built a reputation as one of the East Coast’s finest golfers and a proud representative of Māori Golf nationally.
Originally from Ruatōria on the East Coast, Reedy has strong ties to Tairāwhiti and currently lives in Gisborne. He is a member of Poverty Bay Golf Club and has long been regarded as one of the leading players in the Poverty Bay-East Coast region. Currently on a 1.0 handicap, Anaru has carried a plus handicap, including being listed at +1.0 and +2.9 during some of his strongest competitive seasons.
One of the defining moments of Reedy’s golfing career came in 2004 when he won the New Zealand Māori Golf Championship, adding his name to the honours board alongside many of the country’s great Māori golfers. That victory represented far more than simply winning a golf tournament. For Anaru, Māori Golf has always been deeply connected to whakapapa, whānau, manaakitanga and representing where you come from with pride.
Like many Māori golfers, Reedy grew up understanding that Māori tournaments were about much more than competition. They were places where whānau reunited, lifelong friendships were formed, stories were shared and younger players learned from older generations. Māori golf provided a sense of belonging and identity that extended well beyond the fairways.
Throughout his career, Anaru has proudly carried the values of Māori golf wherever he has competed. Whether representing Tairāwhiti, Poverty Bay-East Coast, or competing nationally, he has always been known as someone who plays with humility, respect and quiet mana. Fellow golfers often speak about the camaraderie he brings to tournaments and the way he supports others around him.
One of his most remarkable achievements came when he completed a rare “triple crown,” winning the East Coast Open, King of the Coast, and Poverty Bay Open in the same season — a feat believed to be a first in the region’s golfing history. Even after many years competing at the top level, Reedy has remained grounded and committed to the game.
Away from major tournaments, Anaru is the Participation Coordinator for the Tairawhiti region with Golf NZ. He continues to support grassroots golf and inspire younger Māori golfers coming through. His longevity in the sport, dedication to improvement and pride in representing Māori golf continue to make him a role model for the next generation.

🏌️‍♂️⛳️ Kia ora whānau o NZMGA ⛳️🏌️‍♀️

We’ve got plenty coming up for our NZ Māori Golf whānau and we’re excited to keep growing and celebrating our game, our people and our history together.

We’ll be starting to post more consistently to help keep everyone connected, informed, and engaged with our kaupapa. Some of the things you can look forward to include:

Keep an eye out over the coming weeks for:
🏆 Previous Champion Spotlights – celebrating our past champions, their journeys, achievements and where they are now.
📖 NZMGA History Bites – sharing stories, memories, photos and moments that have shaped Māori golf through the generations.
📰 What’s Happening in Māori Golf – updates from around the motu including rangatahi development, local events, successes and community kaupapa.
⛳ Tournament Promotions – upcoming events, registrations, regional tournaments and Nationals information.
🎁 Māori Golf Promotions & Opportunities – giveaways, golf deals, academy programmes, development opportunities and more.

My goal is to keep our members connected, informed and proud of the legacy and future of Māori golf.

If you have old photos, stories, tournament memories or achievements you’d like shared, send them through — we’d love to showcase our people and our history. ❤️🖤🤍

Ngā mihi nui,
Aroha and the New Zealand Māori Golf team

NZ Māori Golf has had the privilege of working with Golf Australia and PGA of Australia providing cultural guidance and support throughout the planning and delivery of the ISPA Handa Challengers Series tournament held at Royal Auckland GC this week. CChallenger PGA Tour of Australasia
Biggest ngā mihi to Te Wharekura o Manurewa for leading the pōwhiri and setting the tone for the. Your presence grounded the event in tikanga Māori and reminded everyone - players, officials and spectators included, that we stand on whenua with deep history and identity.

A special highlight for NZMGA is the opportunity to deliver a clinic on Friday. Creating space for our local rangatahi to learn about the game and then to go watch some of the big names playing like Kevin Na, Nick Watney, our locals Denzel Ieremia and Jayden Ford and 2025 NZ Open winner, Ryan Peake will be an experience and a half!
Watch this space whānau and if you are in Auckland and want to go watch some of the pros at work, let us know.

https://www.facebook.com/PGATourAus

** Mike has finished flat after Round 1 and getting ready to head out shortly for Round 2.
Kia kaha Mike! We are all behind you, go out and enjoy the day 😎

1 under after 11 holes. Out early apōpō to finish the round. Then ready for Round 2 💪🏽

Our 2026 Senior Men's Champ is about to tee off in the 2026 New Zealand Open in Queenstown. Mike Toeke from Russley Golf Club.
Unfortunately, there was a 3 hour rain delay so Mike is off at 5.04pm, not sure how many holes he will get in.

But best of luck from us all. Kia kaha Mike!

Photos from the 1st Tee at Kerikeri! Photo credit to our starter extraordinaire Paula!

A great week, catching up with old friends and making new ones!