21 February 2026

Aotearoa Māori Netball Oranga Healthy Lifestyles Trust (AMNOHL) is proud to announce the appointment of its 2026 Aotearoa Māori Netball Secondary Schools (AMNSS) Coaching and Management Team.

Appointed to lead the 2026 campaign are:

• Head Coach: Taz Tawhara (Tūwharetoa, Te Whānau-a-Apanui)

• Assistant Coach: Diane Pakau (Te Aupouri)

• Manager: Murray Gardiner (Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāti Te Rangi, Ngāi Tūhoe)

This announcement marks an exciting continuation of AMNOHL’s commitment to strengthening high-performance pathways within culturally grounded Māori netball environments for kōhine across Aotearoa.

Rigourous Appointment Process

Head of Interview Convenor, Ashleigh-Kate Araroa-Waerea, acknowledged the depth and quality of applicants who put themselves forward for the roles.

“We are incredibly appreciative of everyone who put themselves forward for these positions. The depth of talent across our Māori netball community makes the appointment process both inspiring and challenging.

With that, we are genuinely excited for the future of AMNOHL — particularly within our high-performance spaces.”

She noted the panel was seeking a balanced leadership team with proven capability, cultural integrity and a commitment to holistic athlete development.

Taz Tawhara - Head Coach

Taz Tawhara returns to AMNOHL as Head Coach following three years as Assistant Coach, where she worked alongside former Head Coach Ngarama Milner-Olsen to re-establish the AMNOHL programme, rebuilding systems, culture, pathways and high-performance foundations.

“I am excited to be back in this space as Head Coach,” says Tawhara.
“Learning from what we created over the past few years and being able to continue building on that foundation is exciting.”

A high-performance coach with proven national and international success, Tawhara holds Netball NZ Performance Coach Qualification (PCQ) accreditation and has completed the High Performance Sport NZ Core Knowledge programme. Her coaching experience includes leadership roles with the NZ Net Blacks, NZ U20 Men and NZ Men’s Fast 5 programmes, achieving world titles, Nations Series podium finishes and consistent pathway success.

Grounded in manaakitanga, unity and accountability, she is passionate about empowering kōhine Māori to thrive in both identity and performance.

“I am always open to collaboration and strengthening the system overall. I look forward to creating development pathways that extend beyond the team itself — supporting aspiring coaches alongside this kaupapa.”

Diane Pakau - Assistant Coach

Diane Pakau brings more than a decade of coaching experience across Māori netball, representative pathways and premier environments.

Since 2021, she has led the Netball Waitākere U18 programme to sustained national success, including 2024 runners-up and 2025 New Zealand U18 National Champions. She has also contributed significantly to Indigenous and Māori netball pathways as a coach, selector, talent identification scout and mentor across UNISS, Northern Zone and regional programmes.

Currently completing her Netball NZ Performance Coach Qualification, Pākau is committed to player-centred, culturally aligned development.

“I feel honoured to be part of this kaupapa and look forward to contributing in this space. Having previously attended AMNOHL camps as a profiler and witnessing the environment in action — to now be part of it is very special.”

Murray Gardiner - Manager

Returning Manager Murray Gardiner resumes his role, bringing calm leadership, strong communication and extensive experience across community, regional, national and Indigenous Māori netball pathways.

His experience spans Tāmaki-makau-rau Poitarawhiti, Aotearoa Māori Secondary Schools and New Zealand Men’s & Mixed national programmes, alongside key administrative roles with Tāmaki-makau-rau Poi Tarawhiti and General Manager of Netball Waitākere.

“I am pleased to be announced as Manager alongside this exciting coaching group. Consistency has been key over the past three years, and seeing the programme continue to evolve and grow will be a privilege to be part of.”

Continuing to Strengthen Māori Netball Pathways

Collectively, Tawhara, Pakau and Gardiner bring a powerful blend of high-performance capability, cultural leadership and pathway expertise.

Their appointment positions the 2026 AMNSS programme to continue elevating Māori netball, strengthening national pathways and supporting kōhine Māori to flourish both on and off the court.

For further information, please contact:
Elaine Wi, National Netball Manager