By Cate Prestidge and Stuart Whitaker

They may have only sent one team to the Zespri AIMS Games this year, but a small Kirikiriroa kura has come home champions of a sport they only started playing this year. 

Four players from Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Tōku Māpihi Maurea in Hillcrest beat 28 other schools to claim first place in the mixed 3x3 basketball, as part of the week-long intermediate-age sports tournament in Tauranga. 

Jah-d Lawson, No'oroa Marsters, Parehuia Paki and Waikura Curtin went unbeaten over the two-day 3x3 tournament, taking the final 13–9 against Highlands Intermediate from New Plymouth.

Manager Mariana Te Tai said while the players had experience in the traditional five-a-side game, they only started 3x3 earlier this year. With the support of coach Kahurangi Hawksworth, they quickly adapted to the half-court format, which is played with just one hoop.

Te Tai said the kura is too small to run its own basketball team, so players are aligned with Toa Sports Club.

“The kids just love the game and want to play with a lot of heart and passion,” she said.

She added the team had little idea what to expect from the competition, focusing instead on “gelling together, building trust and upholding the values of the kura”.

“I don’t think the kids realise the scale of their achievement – they’re just happy to be out there playing basketball.”

Te Tai said the victory was about more than scores and stats, with the kura value of mahi tahi (working together) carrying them through.

Mangakotukutuku College also made their debut on the AIMS Games 3x3 basketball court since becoming a Year 7–13 school in 2024.

Coach William Kokaua said the decision to attend was made “pretty short notice” but the team of Edith Ngere, George Ganza, Katy Chea, Tunuiarangi De Thierry and Wally Riki were quick to rise to the challenge. 

With only a month of training, they had to learn new rules and adjust to the independence 3x3 demands.

“Kids have to coach themselves during the game, figure out the subs and manage themselves, all without adult input,” Kokaua explained.

He said the players showed maturity and teamwork, adding, “There is a lot of talent in our community and people willing to help the kids succeed”.

Mangakotukutuku head of basketball Jamie Kennedy said 3x3 is now the fastest-growing sport at the school, and the college is keen to show younger players a development pathway to senior and premier teams in both 3x3 and five-a-side basketball.

Christchurch on the courts

Meanwhile, the sole team flying the flag for Christchurch South Karamata Intermediate School at AIMS also did their hometown proud on the 3x3 basketball courts. 

The all-female team playing in the mixed competition included twins Eva and Grace Williams, Mercedes Williams (no relation), Addi Aspros and Sina Palaamo. They were the only South Island basketballers to make it through to the competition’s final eight.

Despite a physical quarter-final loss to eventual winners Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Tōku Māpihi Maurea, they still managed to smile at their achievements.

They also think they surprised many of the boys in the teams they played.

“The boys don’t expect us to be good,” said Sina.

Eva and Grace’s mum Lizzie said it was good to see the girls show assertiveness and confidence every time they took to the court.

“That is when they are playing, but they are good life skills to have – being assertive, and confident in what girls can do,” she said.

There were 34 teams in the mixed grade competition, and 30 in the boys division.

Article added: Wednesday 03 September 2025