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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.

2025 TAUIHI CHAMPIONS.

All Star 5 - Hannah Hank & Laina Snyder

Learn More

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 Tauihi Head Coach – Tane Bennett

Tane Bennett is the Head Coach of the Whai women’s team in Tauihi, New Zealand’s elite women’s professional basketball league. A Tauranga local who has progressed through the Whai coaching pathway, Tane led the team to the 2025 Tauihi Championship title, completing back-to-back championships for Whai following the club’s 2024 success.

Proven Track Record in Development

Championship Success
Tane has played an integral role in Whai’s back-to-back Tauihi Championship titles, contributing to the 2024 championship-winning programme before stepping into the Head Coach role and leading Whai to another national title in 2025.
Developing the Next Generation
Tane’s coaching journey began with the Whai Academy, where he helped develop emerging local talent. He has continued that commitment as Head Coach of the Tauranga Under-20 women, leading the team to a national championship title.

Leadership at Whai Basketball

From Academy to Head Coach
Tane has progressed through the Whai coaching pathway, from the Academy to Rapid League Head Coach, assistant coaching roles with both the Tauihi and NBL teams, and ultimately Tauihi Head Coach. His journey reflects Whai’s commitment to developing talented people from within our region.
Performance & Leadership
With a background in Sports Performance Analysis, Tane brings a detailed and analytical approach to scouting, preparation and game performance, complemented by a strong focus on leadership, team culture and developing people.

A Tauranga local with deep roots in our basketball community, Tane represents what the Whai pathway is all about – creating opportunities for local talent to develop, lead and succeed at the highest level.

Whai Tauihi and NBL Assistant Coach – Sonny Tuaputa

Sonny Tuaputa is an Assistant Coach with the Whai Tauihi women’s team and Whai NBL men’s team, bringing extensive experience in player development, high-performance basketball and national representative programmes. Sonny joined the Whai professional coaching environment in 2025 and was part of the coaching team that helped the Whai women secure the 2025 Tauihi Championship.

Proven Track Record in Development

National Team Experience
Sonny is an Assistant Coach with the Junior Tall Blacks, working with some of New Zealand’s most promising young players on the international stage, including the FIBA U18 Asia Cup.
Developing the Next Generation
As Director of Basketball and Head Coach at Rosmini College, one of New Zealand’s leading secondary school basketball programmes, Sonny plays a key role in developing young athletes and creating pathways for players to progress to higher levels of the game.

Leadership at Whai Basketball

Championship Experience
Sonny was part of the Whai Tauihi coaching team that captured the 2025 national championship, contributing his experience, player development focus and high-performance coaching to another successful season for the club.
Across the Whai Programme
Sonny has served as an Assistant Coach with the Whai NBL men’s team across the 2025 and 2026 seasons, alongside his role with the Tauihi programme. His involvement across both professional teams brings valuable continuity and connection to Whai’s wider basketball programme.

With experience spanning school, professional and international basketball, Sonny brings a strong development focus to Whai and a commitment to helping players realise their potential at every stage of the game.

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.

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.