Recent sporting honours

We’d like to offer our special congratulations to our WSC Director of Sport, Peter (Pete) McIntyre (Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Hauā), who was appointed as the Tonga National Touch Association’s National High Performance Coach for 2026! In addition, Pete was appointed as the Head Coach for the Māori Touch NZ Open Mens/Tāne team, which travelled to the Gold Coast last month (2-7 June).

With an outstanding legacy in the sport, Pete brings a wealth of international experience, having led the New Zealand Touch Blacks at the highest level. A former elite player and one of the most respected coaches in touch rugby, Pete has been involved in over 100 international matches as a player and coach, and has played a key role in developing world-class athletes and championship-winning teams.

Congratulations on these fantastic accomplishments, Pete!

Alumni News

Skylah Tainui-Takerei

We’re also proud of the recent achievements of our alumna, Skylah Tainui-Takerei, made the decision to join the Southern Steel for the remainder of the ANZ Netball Premiership this year. Skylah is a former tauira of Ngā Puna O Waiōrea; the daughter of our NPoW Sports Coordinator, Le Toia Tainui; and the grand-daughter of Pete McIntyre. Skylah joined the Southern Steel’s midcourt as an interim injury replacement, providing a massive boost to the team & helping them secure a spot in the 2026 Grand Final! We are pleased to follow Skylah’s sporting successes & we wish her all the best for the coming seasons.

Charli Dunn

Congratulations to our WSC alumna, Charli Dunn, who was selected for the NZ Under 20s Football team earlier this year, and toured Australia in late May. The team had two draws in two tough games against their Australian counterparts, as they prepare for the U-20 FIFA Women’s World Cup later this year in Poland.

Charli is currently home during the US summer break, where she has been studying and playing football in the NCAA Division 1 Conference USA as a midfielder/defender under a scholarship from Middle Tennessee State University. We hope Charli is enjoying her time back in Aotearoa New Zealand, and we look forward to following her football career in the upcoming year!