The votes are in and the names are being etched in the hardware as the 2025 Tauihi awards winners have been named. The regular season table topping Tokomanawa unit was well rewarded for their efforts as Queens dominated the list for both Tauihi and Rapid League. on for all the details.
The Queens’ floor general powered the Queens to regular season crown and top post-season seed while stuffing every column: 2nd in scoring (19.9 ppg), 2nd in assists (6.6 apg), and 2nd in minutes (35.5 mpg). Wallace also shot 44% from three (6th in league) while playing top level defense with 1.5 stls 7th in league) that set the tone for the second stingiest team in the league. Wallace logged multiple 20-point/10-assist nights while providing elite two-way tempo control that set the tone for Queens in every big moment and will be looking to do the same in the post season.
Under Tupu, Queens finished 2nd in scoring defense, 2nd in FG%, and 1st in steals, with a +2.33 turnover margin and second in rebounding margin- all statistical evidence of a clear, identity-level defensive blueprint that the squad stuck to all season long. This is the first coach of the year award for the Queens steward, and she will be looking to guide the Queens to their second title in her four years at the helm of the franchise as she steers the top-seeded Queens into the postseason with homecourt advantage.
Beck was the league’s premier perimeter stopper for the second consecutive year in the claiming back to back belts as defensive player of the year. The Queens captain finished 1st in steals (2.17 spg) while adding 1.0 bpg (5th) and 5.6 rpg (13th) from the wing. Her switch-ability and impeccable timing on digs/rotations turbo-charged the Queens D, which was league-leading in takeaways and always a potent weapon to be deployed.
Rogers’ leap showed up in decision-making and poise. She finished 2nd in assist/turnover ratio (3.22) and added steady playmaking in winning lineups-big contributions for a young guard stepping into real minutes on a contender. A season ago she appeared in 6 Tauihi games for the Whai, averaging 4.9 minutes .2ppg, .5rpg and .2stls. This year she played in 9 games (missing 3 due to injury) while averaging 2ppg, 3.3rpg, 3.2apg, .9stls in 21 minutes per game.
Kristy Wallace (Queens) - (19.9 ppg (2nd), 6.6 apg (2nd), 2.54 assist to turnover ratio (5th), 1.5 3pfgm (11th)
Marena Whittle (Pouākai) - Scoring champion (20.1 ppg), #2 in 3PM (3.1/game) at 43% from deep, plus 7.9 rpg and 1.5 spg - Whittle has been a tough shot-maker turned fan v that enjoyed firing up the crowd, at home and on the road.
Hannah Hank (Whai) - 3rd in scoring (19.5 ppg), T-3rd in rebounds (9.3 rpg), 2nd in steals (2.0 spg), and 6 double-doubles A near unstoppable force in the post who commanded double teams, yet still often played through them.
Penina Davidson (Queens) - Was the interior gold standard: 1st in rebounds (10.4 rpg), 1st in offensive boards (3.83/game), 4th in scoring (16.7 ppg), and a league-best 7 double-doubles. Dominant on the offensive glass and unstoppable with deep catches, she scoops an all-star 5 nod for the first time in her Tauihi career and is the only New Zealander to make the five.
Laina Snyder (Whai) - Was the perfect connector for the Whai as she basically doubled her production from a championship season with the Whai a year ago: 16.4 ppg, T-3rd in rebounds (9.3 rpg), 1.78 spg, 40% from three, and four double-doubles in nine outings as she was sidelined down the stretch. This is her 2nd All-Star five nod after claiming a spot with the Hoiho in the leagues inaugural season.
Rapid MVP: Emma Rogers (Pouākai)
Rapid All-Star Five:
Emma Rogers (Pouākai)
Briarley Rogers (Queens)
Lil Dart (Hoiho)
Azure Anderson (Kāhu)
Charlotte Whittaker (Pouākai).
Referee of the Year: Callum Welch
Club of the Year: Southern Hoiho
General Manager of the Year: Angela Ruske, Southern Hoiho
Best Social Media: Mainland Pouākai
Best Fan Engagement: Northern Kāhu
Best Game Presentation: Tokomanawa Queens
Awards were voted on by the five head coaches plus three independent panelists: Casey Frank (Sky commentator), Maia Williamson (Sky commentator), and Mike Lacey (writer).
