Hard-working One New Zealand Warriors back rower Maarire Puketapu has been rewarded for her impressive NRLW debut campaign with a two-year contract to the end of the 2027 season.
The 23-year-old Lower Hutt-born and raised Puketapu was one of a number of players who went into the club’s return to the competition with no previous NRLW experience.
A former New Zealand softball representative, she was a late adopter to the game finding her way in the Wellington competition before venturing to Australia where she ultimately had stints with the Central Queensland Capras and the Sunshine Coast Falcons in the Queensland premiership.
Despite her lack of top-level exposure, Puketapu impressed during the preseason to claim a spot in the lineup for the Warriors’ comeback match against the Sydney Roosters in July and went on to play 10 of the team’s 11 games.
“Maarire is attitude and effort personified – tough and unassuming, of great character,” said One New Zealand Warriors head coach Ron Griffiths.
“She is small in stature but she is hard to handle with the ball in hand and she makes the opposition feel uncomfortable in defence.
“We’re thrilled to have Maarire extending her time with the One New Zealand Warriors.”
Puketapu says she can’t wait to come back into camp for the 2026 campaign.
“I’m really stoked to re-sign for another two years,” she said.
“It’s been an awesome first season and being in a team with great culture has been a highlight for me. My main goal this season was just to debut, so to get this opportunity is more than I expected.
“Big thanks to Ron for having faith in me and giving me all the tools I needed to progress further with this team.
“I also want to acknowledge all the staff and management for their support. Can’t wait to keep building on what we’ve started.”
Puketapu played the first 10 rounds but missed the season finale against the Wests Tigers due to a head knock the previous week against the Broncos.
In the trenches every game she played, she averaged 72 metres and 20 tackles a match. She was on the field for the 70 minutes in six consecutive games from round four to round nine.
When Puketapu signed late last year, her reaction was heartfelt.
“I can’t really explain my excitement. I’m excited for the opportunity, I’m excited about going back to New Zealand, I’m excited about being around my culture again but I’m also still quite overwhelmed," she said.
"I’m looking forward to arriving at the Warriors and giving them the best version of me that I possibly can and to inspire future wāhine Māori to find passion in this game too. I want to make sure that I put in the work and repay Ronnie and the club for this huge opportunity. I am truly grateful.”
Profile | Maarire Puketapu
Born: May 16, 2002
Birthplace: Lower Hutt, NZ
Clubs: Randwick Kingfishers, Te Aroha Eels (Wellington, NZ); Kawana Dolphins, Central Queensland Capras, Sunshine Coast Falcons (Qld)
Position: Second row, prop, loose forward
Height: 167cm
Weight: 79kg
Warriors NRLW #: 63
NRLW debut: One New Zealand Warriors v Sydney Roosters, Allianz Stadium, Sydney, July 3, 2025 (Rd 1)
NRLW appearances: 10 (2025)
NRL points: 0
Queensland premiership record: 12 appearances 2023-2024
Central Queensland Capras: 3 appearances (2023)
Sunshine Coast Falcons: 9 appearances (2024)
Queensland premiership points: 6 (1 try, 1 goal)
Representative honours: Softball | Junior White Sox, 2020 under-18 World Cup
