Historic South Auckland school TIPENE and the One New Zealand Warriors have sealed a strategic partnership to further strengthen the club’s pathways system.
It comes just two weeks after the Warriors formalised a relationship with rugby league powerhouse St Thomas of Canterbury College in Christchurch.
The Warriors and TIPENE have built a connection since the school – formerly St Stephen’s School – reopened under its new name last year.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity for both organisations,” said One New Zealand Warriors general manager recruitment, pathways and development Andrew McFadden.
“We believe in what TIPENE is doing with young Māori and Pasifika kids. We’ve worked closely with (co-principals) Nathan (Durie) and Yvette (McCausland-Durie) who are doing a wonderful job.
“Our agreement is all about making sure our relationship and communication with them is strong so the kids we work with get the best opportunity.”
TIPENE co-principal Nathan Durie said signing an agreement with the One New Zealand Warriors was a special day for the school and its pupils.
“It’s about forging pathways and opportunities for our kids, a real strong commitment and connection to kaupapa Māori and to education,” said Durie.
“We’re recognising from rugby league that kids see people from their communities that they aspire to be.
“It’s a privileged opportunity for our boys to go into that space (at the Warriors) to be among experts. It’s the environment they’ve created. It’s a level of excellence and what you see is young Māori-Pasifika boys in that space excelling and fulfilling all the dreams that people want for them.”
While it re-opened only last year, TIPENE has made an immediate impact on the rugby league landscape, winning the rangatahi tama 15s development grade on debut at the 2025 Aotearoa New Zealand Māori Rugby League tournament in Rotorua.
Founded in 1844, St Stephen’s School/TIPENE is among New Zealand’s oldest schools.
It closed its doors in 2000 before reopening as a charter school for Māori and Pasifika boys in February last year.
