September 2026
Toitū Ngāti Porou is proud to support young rugby league players Mason Ngarangione and Leo Rangihuna through its Cultural & Sports Grant, helping the boys represent Te Tairāwhiti at the 2026 Aotearoa New Zealand Māori Rugby League Tournament in Rotorua.
The journey began in August, when nearly 50 tamariki turned out for the Gisborne Grassroots Rugby League trials. Six days later, the Tairāwhiti representative team was announced, with both Mason and Leo earning their place in the side.
Both boys have played rugby from a young age, and after a busy season of touch rugby, rugby and league, making the representative team was a proud reward for all the hard work they had put in.
Mason Ngarangione is of Te Aitanga-a-Hauiti and Ngāti Hau descent. Ko Nuhiti tōna maunga, ko Hawai tōna awa, ko Horouta tōna waka, ko Hinetamatea tōna marae.
Leo Rangihuna is of Ngāti Porou descent. Ko Hikurangi tōna maunga, ko Waiapu tōna awa, ko Horouta tōna waka, ko Hinerupe tōna marae.
The Toitū Ngāti Porou Cultural & Sports Grant helped towards travel, accommodation, representative hoodies and whanaungatanga costs, supporting the boys and their whānau to make the journey to Rotorua.
Despite two days of gusty winds and rain, the Tairāwhiti team finished the tournament with an impressive four wins and just one loss.
Mason captained the team, playing at first receiver and fullback, and was named Player of the Day on day two of the tournament. Leo took to the field on the wing.
For Leo, one of the best parts of the experience was simply
being with his teammates and getting to do the team-building activities.
Mason’s highlight was being out on the field with his team, especially
playing defence and running the ball.
For their whānau, seeing the boys represent their rohe and enjoy the experience together made the tournament particularly special.
Toitū Ngāti Porou congratulates Mason and Leo on representing the Tairāwhiti team with pride and wishes both boys all the best as they continue their rugby league journeys.
