The Northern Maori Women's team have arrived in Rarotonga for their first international tour. They follow in the footsteps of the successful Northern Maori Men's team visit there two years ago. The Maori side has three players with first class experience - Kerry Tomlinson (Player/Coach), Ariana Te Wake, and Katie Johnson. The rest of the team is made up of talented youngsters, most of whom have represented Northern Districts at Under 21, Under 18, or Under 15 level.

Northern Districts Cricket CEO Peter Roach is pleased to see this tour get underway, after the successful men's tour previously. "The focus on Maori cricket is a high priority for Northern Districts Cricket going forward, and that has been supported extremely well over the past few seasons by Trust Waikato and McCaw Lewis Lawyers, who sponsor our Maori cricket programs. Our growing investment in Maori cricket is part of our desire for cricket to become the sport of choice for males and females of all backgrounds."

The Northern Maori team will play four games against the Cook Islands Under 19 Girls, the Cook Islands Women (two games), and against a club selection side. There are eight women's club teams playing in the Rarotongan competition as well as competitions on some of the outer islands. 

Northern Districts Cricket's Director of Cricket, Pat Malcon, has accompanied the team and will also conduct coaching courses for Cook Island coaches while there. This is an annual visit for him, as Northern Districts Cricket have assisted Cook Islands Cricket for the past decade as an International Cricket Council partnership. Under this programme Major Associations from NZ and Australia assist developing cricket nations in the East Asia Pacific region.

The Northern Maori women's team:

Kerry Tomlinson [Poverty Bay] Ngati Porou/Te Whanau Apanui

Ariana Te Wake [Waikato Valley] Te Rawara/Te Atihaunui a Paparangi

Katie Johnson [Poverty Bay] Ngati Awa/Te Arawa

Jayda Tainui [Counties Manukau] Tainui

Tayla Hollis [Poverty Bay] Ngati Porou/Ngati Kahungungu

Taneika Uerata [Bay of Plenty] Ngati Mutunga/Ngati Mahuta

Quinn Robinson [Waikato Valley] Ngati Raukawa/Te Aupouri

Lucy McHugh [Poverty Bay] Ngai Tahu

Shaylyn Whetu [Waikato Valley] Ngati Tuwharetoa/Ngati Raukawa/Tainui

Trena Hunapo-Moetu [Waikato Valley] Ngati Raukawa/Ngati Koroki

Shardey Te Kanawa [Waikato Valley] Ngati Maniapoto/Tuhoe

Player/Coach: Kerry Tomlinson

Fielding Coach: Mark Crawford