From across the country and across the ditch, whānau gathered home for the annual Taranaki Whānui Māori Rugby League Tournament 2026, hosted by Te Atiawa in Tikorangi, Waitara. The event brought together passionate players representing their iwi and whānau with immense pride, bridging distances to reconnect with their roots. For many, the tournament is an annual pilgrimage back to the heartland. Dallas Blackburn-Kingi, who lives across the ditch in Australia, emphasized the
