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About Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa

History was made in 2022 with the G.J. Gardner Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa League inaugural season. The league is made up of five regional teams, the Northern Kāhu, Whai Basketball, Tokomanawa Queens, Mainland Pouākai and Southern Hoiho.

All games are broadcast live on SKY Sport. Showcasing SKY Sport Tall Ferns, international stars and rising young Kiwis – Professional women’s basketball is here to stay.

Tauihi means “to soar” in Te Reo Māori.

2024 TAUIHI CHAMPIONS.

2024 RAPID LEAGUE RUNNERS-UP.

All Star 5 - Ashley Joens.
Grand Final MVP - Morgan Yaeger.

Learn More

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Season 2025 Memberships

2025 Tauihi League Red Hot Deal Memberships

Tauihi 2025 MembershipsIncludes all 6 regular season home games

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Join The Fever. Feel the heat.
Be Whai.

Fever.
1. (noun) group of stingray
2. (verb) state of nervous excitement, frenzy, the feeling of great enthusiasm felt by a group of people about a particular public event.

Deep beneath the ocean, Whai move as one—graceful, powerful, and unstoppable. When they gather, they are called a Fever.

Something is stirring in the Bay. A passion, an energy, an unstoppable force. Whai Fans are our Fever.

We call it Whai Fever.

Like Whai in motion, our fans unite—relentless, electric, and loud. They don’t just watch; they live the game. Every chant, every clap, every roar fuels Whai to greatness.

A Fever doesn’t sit still. It rises. It surges. It ignites. At home or on the road, Whai Fever is fierce, proud, and unwavering.

Now, it’s official. If you stand with Whai, if you bring the fire, you are part of the Fever.

This is our time. This is the movement.

We are the Whai Fever.

Whai Director of Basketball - Matt Lacey

Matt Lacey holds the pivotal role of Director of Basketball, while simultaneously leading the Tauranga Whai NBL team. His impact is shaping the direction of the organisation both on and off the court.

Recent Highlights

Historic 4th Place – FIBA U19 World Cup (2025)
As Head Coach, Matt led the Junior Tall Blacks to a remarkable fourth-place finish at the 2025 FIBA U19 World Cup in Hungary—the best-ever result for New Zealand at this level—highlighting his tactical acumen and ability to inspire young athletes on the global stage.
Appointed Assistant Coach – New Zealand Breakers (2025)
Matt’s appointment to the coaching staff of the New Zealand Breakers in the Australian NBL confirms his rising stature within professional basketball, with his knowledge and leadership now influencing the highest level of the game in the region.
Top 4 Finish – NZNBL Semi-Finalist with Whai (2025)
In just the club’s second year in the National Basketball League, Matt coached Whai to the semi-finals against the Wellington Saints, cementing the team’s position as a legitimate contender in the league and marking a significant milestone in Tauranga’s professional sporting history.

Proven Track Record in Development

High School Success at Rosmini College
Over the past eight years, Matt led Rosmini College’s basketball programme to two National Championships and earned Coach of the Year honours, establishing himself as one of New Zealand’s premier basketball educators.
Pathway Builder
Known for his consistent development of elite players, Matt has mentored dozens of athletes into U.S. college programmes and professional teams. His influence extends into the national space through his Junior Tall Blacks role and locally through the Whai Academy Elite pathway.

Leadership at Whai Basketball

Foundation Leader
Appointed in 2023, Matt has been instrumental in establishing Whai’s men’s programme—building a strong team culture, refining the club’s competitive identity, and setting new benchmarks for success in a rapidly evolving league.

Matt's leadership is defined by international credibility, development excellence, and competitive success. As Director of Basketball and Head Coach, he is driving Whai Basketball forward—fuelling aspirations on the court while shaping the future of basketball in Tauranga and beyond.

About Sal's NBL

The National Basketball League (NBL) has been at the forefront of men's basketball in New Zealand since its inception in 1982.

The Tauranga Whai joined the league as an expansion team in 2024.

The season runs from March through July each year.

All games are broadcast on SKY Sport, providing fans across New Zealand with unparalleled access to the action. Furthermore, the league's reach extends far beyond national borders, with international audiences tuning in to watch games on ESPN in the USA, and YouTube around the rest of the world.

Learn more about Sal's NBL

Whai Basketball is deeply committed to community engagement through in-school visits, holiday camps and our Whai Academy, ensuring that basketball thrives at the grassroots level. The links below will allow you to navigate to our community programmes website.