Celebrating their 10-year milestone, the unique partnership between Te Wānanga o Raukawa and the Pulse, which has broadened visibility of the Māori language and culture while producing on-going success on the netball court, continues to thrive.

First partnering with the tikanga Māori tertiary education provider in 2017, which coincided with the launch of the ANZ Premiership the same year, the Pulse have gone on to become one of the most successful teams in the league.

The positive off-court support from Te Wānanga o Raukawa has built an impressive on-court product over the years while also providing the opportunity to empower women through sport and spread appreciation and commitment to the kaupapa (principle) of te reo Māori within the game and community.

``Our partnership with Te Wānanga o Raukawa has been fundamental to the Pulse’s identity,’’ Netball Central Chief Executive Ann Hay said.

``We are who we are because of our partnership with Te Wānanga o Raukawa. Our values, our actions and how we show up on and off the court is intertwined with the work we have undertaken with them. I’m not sure you could pull the strands apart now; it’s part of the Pulse identity.’’

The partnership has created a shared language and clear expectations for how the pair work together. Each season begins with whanaungatanga (connections that foster belonging and support) through a pōwhiri and kaupapa sessions involving the Pulse team and organisation, and further interaction during the season before it is formally closed together with a poroporoaki (formal, culturally rich farewell).

``We are very proud that as a team we have incorporated both Māori language and culture as part of who we are,’’ Hay said. ``For our community seeing language, values and culture reflected authentically in a high-performance environment is important for visibility and representation.’’

Established in 1981, Te Wānanga o Raukawa, with only two students, was hailed at the time as the smallest university in the world but its roll has grown significantly over the years, now sitting at over 5000 students. And, which has pioneered a centre of innovation and higher learning in a unique and traditional Māori way.

Te Wānanga o Raukawa will host their ninth edition of the popular Te Wānanga o Raukawa pre-season tournament on March 13 -15, with all six teams in attendance. In a unique experience, all teams, including management, officials and umpires will be accommodated at the Te Wānanga o Raukawa campus in Ōtaki, north of Wellington.

All matches will be played at the Māori Tertiary Education provider’s health and fitness facility, Ngā Purapura with time for all involved to embrace and enjoy the special significance of the cultural engagement which includes a pōwhiri for all teams and officials, cultural activities and living together on the marae.

``Looking ahead, our partnership will continue to evolve through a refreshed approach to strengthen how Māori language and culture are embedded in what we do,’’ Hay said.

``There is a shared desire to keep learning and improving, and to use that growth to position the Pulse and Netball Central as leaders in this space again, including how this is further embedded across our community work within Netball Central.’’

 

Ends
 

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Article added: Friday 27 February 2026