Rotorua sisters chosen for NZ Māori Volleyball teams competing in Canada and Thailand

Rotorua Girls' High students Joy Tafuna, 15, and Lovelyann Tafuna, 16, have been chosen for Aotearoa Māori Poirewa teams heading to Canada and Thailand respectively in 2025. Photo / Aleyna Martinez

Like every good big sister, when 16-year-old Lovelyann Tafuna knew it was time to try out for the Aotearoa Māori Poirewa (New Zealand Māori Volleyball) team, she nagged her sister Joy to come along until she said yes.

Joy, 15, went to the September trials at Tauranga’s Aquinas College as more than 100 students from across New Zealand sought a spot on the 2025 national indigenous volleyball programme.

Now, both girls will represent New Zealand in an AMP uniform – Joy will head to Canada in July on the AMS Under-16 team, and Lovelyann will head to Thailand in September as part of the AMP Under-18 team.

The trips will be their first experience travelling overseas.

With a place on the AMP team, Joy said her sister pushed her to realise, “I do have what it takes, unexpectedly”.

Their family created a Givealittle page to help fund the trips, which will cost $5000 each and would cover flights, accommodation, food and fees.

“I’m going to help my aunty fundraise, and maybe get a job,” Joy said.

Both girls said they knew students who had represented AMP in Thailand last year and felt proud they would represent their country.

Lovelyann Tafuna and Joy Tafuna are fundraising for their trips overseas with the Aotearoa Māori Poirewa teams. Photo / Aleyna Martinez

Eight girls from Rotorua Girls’ High will be heading to Canada with Joy.

Playing the sport since she was 12, she discovered it while watching a Japanese anime called Haikyu!!

“It was cool to try out a new sport, especially a sport from an anime show,” Joy said.

Her favourite position on the court was outside hitter or opposite (right-side hitter).

“I just feel really proud of me, myself, because making it into a New Zealand team is big. This is a high accomplishment in my life,” Joy said.

Lovelyann

said was looking forward to sharing her culture while in Thailand.

AMP was established in 2021 to allow indigenous youth opportunities to represent New Zealand in volleyball.

“Volleyball for me is a comfort sport, it’s a great sport to play because you’re getting in there,” Lovelyann said.

Her favourite position on the court was outside and opposite.

Lovelyann said she would be grateful for any donations.

“Thank you for your support and we would appreciate anything people give.”

Both girls were looking forward to the training camps in Tauranga this summer.

The Givealittle page for Lovelyann and Joy Tafuna can be found here.

Aleyna Martinez is a multimedia journalist based in the Bay of Plenty. She moved to the region in 2024 and has previously reported in Wairarapa and at Pacific Media Network.