Meet the Kaunihera
- Updated: November 15, 2025
Working together for the betterment of New Zealand Māori Hockey.
Executive
Chairperson – Gail Ambler, chairperson@hockey.maori.nz
Treasurer – Jarrod Thorne (Tenure ends October 2026) treasurer@hockey.maori.nz
Secretary – Tracy Edmonds (Tenure ends October 2026) secretary@hockey.maori.nz
Content & Communications Mgr – Tania Ambrosius, media@hockey.maori.nz
Kaumatua & Patron
Kaumatua – Kahu Ripia & Joy Ripia
Patron – Shelley Hiha
Contact us – info@hockey.maori.nz
Rohe Delegates
Te Taitokerau – Margi Kay & Vicki Gribble, margikay@xtra.co.nz
Tairawhiti – Dallas Kerr, dallasdb@hotmail.com
Tamaki Makaurau – David Oakley & Carissa Makea, haupoi.tamakimakaurau@gmail.com
Waiariki – Aroha Thompson & Jordan Edmonds, aroha.dt@xtra.co.nz
Waikato-Maniapoto – Amanda Waitere & Jarrod Thorne, secretary@wmh.maori.nz
Takitimu – Rachael Downs & Lisa Bishop, haupoi.takitimu@gmail.com
Tai Uru – Diana Kawana & Dylan Kiriona, taiuruhaupoimaori@gmail.com
Te Waipounamu – Tania Ambrosius & Sioux Morgan, twphockey.maori@gmail.com
NZ Māori Hockey Founders Since 1992
Margaret Hiha 1934-2020 (Ngāti Rangitihi, Te Arawa)
Rawiri Wright (Waiariki)
Renee Wright (Waiariki)
Peter Moeau (Tairāwhiti)
Tom Smiler (Tairawhiti)
Alice Brown
Sam Kereama
Rawiri Rangitauira
Cathy Rangitauira
Kararaina Blake (Hawley) Te Waipounamu
Senior Wāhine
Head Coach – Carissa Makea (2025/2027)
Junior Wāhine U21
Head Coach – Tuhia Hohepa (2026/2028)
Assistant Coach – Atamira De Goldi Ling (2026/2028)
Senior Tāne
Head Coach – Mark Kake (2023/2026)
Assistant Coach – Phil McConnell (2026/2028)
Junior Tāne U21
Head Coach – Sam Hewett (2026/2028)
Assistant Coach – Brad Pitman (2026/2028)
Our Mission Statement
The Mission Statement of NZ Maori Hockey is to provide a healthy environment for all associated with NZ Maori Hockey via:
- Vision – To realize the potential, excellence & success of NZ Maori Hockey
- Values – To nurture tikanga Maori & whanaungatanga
- Strategic Direction – To promote and develop all aspects of NZ Maori Hockey
- Key Measures – To measure key performance outcomes
Aims
The Aims of New Zealand Maori Hockey (Te Haupoi Maori o Aotearoa) are:
- To provide all players with the opportunity to excel and develop to their potential.
- To offer the widest opportunities for all to participate at the highest level in Hockey.
- To provide a healthy social environment for all associated with Maori Hockey.
- To encourage all aspects of Maoritanga – (karakia, karanga, korero, waiata, haka, whanaungatanga) in accordance with the Treaty of Waitangi.
Objectives
The Objectives of New Zealand Maori Hockey (Te Haupoi Maori o Aotearoa) are:
- To provide an opportunity for every one
of Maori ancestry interested in playing hockey, irrespective of age, ability or gender. - To allow all Maori to participate in hockey while increasing awareness of their cultural background.
- To provide opportunities and encourage participation in all aspects of hockey.
- To encourage the development of hockey throughout Aotearoa for all Maori.
- Each Rohe hosts the National Maori Hockey Tournament in a sequential order.
- To promote National and International Maori Hockey competition within Aotearoa:
- controlling National Maori Hockey tournaments and other similar competitions
- provide the Maori teams with the opportunity to compete in Aotearoa or overseas.
- To administer and implement the affairs of New Zealand Maori Hockey (Te Haupoi Maori o Aotearoa).
- To be the Court of Appeal as provided under Rule 24.2.
Tūtaki ki te Kaunihera
Gail Ambler
Chairperson
Te Taitokerau – Northland
Tracy Edmonds
Secretary
Tenure ends October 2026
Jarrod Thorne
Treasurer
Tenure ends October 2026
Waikato-Maniapoto
Tania Ambrosius
Content & Media Mgr / Delegate
Te Waipounamu – South Island – Tasman Bay, Canterbury, Otago
David Oakley
Delegate
Umpire/Officials Administration
Tamaki Makaurau – Auckland, North Harbour.