Second Harvey Norman camp makes impact

Author: Richard Becht & warriors.kiwi
Timestamp: Mon 2 Mar 2026, 07:30 PM

After kicking off in Nelson late last year, the trailblazing Harvey Norman Heartland Female Athlete programme switched to Wellington for the initiative’s second camp in February.

It was the first of seven camps being held around the country in the coming weeks with the others being held in Hastings, Christchurch, Whangārei, Hamilton, Auckland and Dunedin.

Bringing together elite teenaged female athletes, the One New Zealand Warriors in conjunction with Harvey Norman are providing a potential pathway to the NRLW.

The Wellington event again demonstrated how sporting barriers are being broken down with rugby league and rugby union working alongside each other.

The first camp was held on what was once hallowed rugby union turf at Nelson College and in Wellington the Warriors were able to use the premier rugby union facility at NZCIS (New Zealand Campus of Innovation and Sport) in Upper Hutt.

The Harvey Norman programme participants from Wellington and Manawatu relished the opportunity to use the official training base for the All Blacks, Black Ferns and Hurricanes, which offers world-class amenities including elite playing fields, an impressive gym, a recovery wing with cryotherapy/plunge pools and on-site accommodation.

Leading the programe again was One New Zealand Warriors NRLW head coach Ron Griffiths with support from Warriors captain and Kiwi Ferns fullback Apii Nicholls and her Warriors and Kiwi Ferns teammate Shakira Baker.

“For me it’s an honour and privilege to come back home and create pathways for up-and-coming players, an opportunity for girls in sport. I'm sure there are a few future NRLW players in there,” said Wairarapa-born and raised Baker.

Participants were impressed with what the camp offered.

“To inspire people like me who have disability or hearing implants that we can show them that anything is possible. We can do anything and express ourselves in a different way,” said Emerald Tuhiwai-Polson from St Mary’s College in Wellington.

“It was a great privilege to be in this environment where we can share our skills and learn more and develop our skills to be around the NRLW players.”

Said Malina Dion Leatherby Millar from Manukura in Palmerston North: “I want to be on the field and I think that just gives me more drive within myself to be become a professional athlete and that's my goal.”

For further development opportunities, two athletes selected from each camp will be invited to the One New Zealand Warriors’ NRL-NRLW doubleheader at Go Media Stadium on Sunday, July 5, highlighted by exclusive behind the scenes access to the NRLW side.

Harvey Norman Heartland Female Athlete Programme
NZCIS, Upper Hutt
Februray 21-22, 2026

Participants

Anastasia Kerr (St Mary’s College, Wellington)
Angelgrace Melevai lanefale de Thierry (St Mary’s College, Wellington)
Aniva Neru (Wellington Girls’ College)
Blaire Annie Apu'ula (NZ Performance Academy Aotearoa, Wellington)
Brooke Jones (Scots College, Wellington)
Casey Sio (Naenae College, Wellington)
Emerald Tuhiwai-Polson (St Mary’s College, Wellington)
Erana Totorewa (Te Ara Whānui Kura Kaupapa Māori, Wellington)
Gabby Wright (Manukura, Palmerston North)
Jordan-Paige Mano-Pedro (St Mary’s College, Wellington)
Kaewa-Li Lukitau (Porirua College, Wellington)
Kaylani Anaha (Manukura, Palmerston North)
Malina Dion Leatherby Millar (Manukura, Palmerston North)
Marino Sunshine Sarah Sung Tafale (St Marys College, Wellington)
Paige Lilo Tafale (St Marys College, Wellington)
Peyton Perez Tafale (St Marys College, Wellington)
Faith Sola (Wellington East Girls College)
Taylah Seng (Manukura, Palmerston North)
Seren Mawby (Newlands College, Wellington)
Araroa Fakahele Mitchell (Te Kura Māori o Porirua, Wellington)
Pewhaīrangi Ashby (Manukura, Palmerston North)
Nevaeh Harris (Manukura, Palmerston North)