He kaha nō te kotahitanga, ehara i te takitahi
Wairau Evergreens, recently hosted two days of unforgettable softball, bringing together wāhine from across Aotearoa for the 43rd NZ Women’s Evergreen Softball Tournament.
Fourteen teams, alongside their loyal supporters, travelled to Wairau, each carrying passion, pride, and a deep love for the game. The atmosphere at Lansdowne Park was electric, with skill, camaraderie and kotahitanga on full display.
At the heart of the Wairau Evergreens Team were whānau, with Myrna Joseph (Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Rangitāne, Ngāti Rarua and Ngāti Porou) leading from the front.
Her mum Helen, was honoured by Marlborough Softball for her decades of unwavering service and dedication, an acknowledgement of a legacy that continues to inspire generations of players and whānau alike.
Myrna, a driving force behind the tournament’s success, was presented with a taonga, a beautifully crafted tewhatewha, from the Whangārei Evergreens whānau. This recognition spoke not only to her outstanding leadership as tournament organiser, but also to the tireless mahi, manaaki, and heart she and her team poured into delivering a seamless and welcoming event.
Beyond the diamond, it was the strength of iwi and whānau connections that truly set this tournament apart. The Wairau team whakapapa to Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Ngāti Rarua and Rangitāne, and Myrna made a conscious decision to honour that foundation. While offers of sponsorship came from businesses, she chose instead to acknowledge the iwi who have long supported the team, through the use of Wairau Pā Marae, vehicles, equipment, and ongoing aroha.
That support was visible throughout the tournament, with iwi proudly represented through gazebos and banners lining Lansdowne Park. Behind the scenes, whānau played a huge role in ensuring everything ran smoothly. Naomi Solomon, though not a player, was instrumental in communications, strategic planning, and coordinating ground operations alongside Johnny Joseph, another example of the collective effort that underpinned the event’s success.
This spirit of manaakitanga was evident in every detail.
From lending the team van to a visiting side caught out by a booking mix-up, to the support of local Māori Wardens, led by Kelly Twose and his team, the tournament was a living expression of community in action.
More than just a tournament, this kaupapa highlighted the strength of a community grounded in whanaungatanga. In Wairau, iwi come together to uplift whānau, creating spaces where people can thrive, not just in sport, but in life.
Perhaps most special of all is the continuation of that legacy. As the current generation of players take the field, they do so alongside, and in support of the next wave coming through. Young wāhine, are now stepping onto the diamond, carrying forward the values of those before them.
Wairau Evergreens didn’t just host a competition, they created an experience grounded in whānau, shaped by iwi, and driven by manaakitanga. It is a powerful reminder that when communities come together, amazing things happen.