The 2026 Rapid League season is underway, with Northern Kāhu making an early statement through a perfect opening weekend, Mainland Pouākai celebrating a winning start at Parakiore Stadium, and a new name sitting atop the competition’s all-time scoring list. Add in some standout performances from the league’s emerging young talent and there was plenty to unpack from Round 1. Mike Lacey takes you through all that and more in this week’s Rapid Wrap.
Kāhu Make a Statement in Tauranga
Round 1 of the 2026 Rapid League season was notable for a pair of road wins for Northern Kāhu, hugely encouraging for the Auckland-based club, given the 2025 wooden spooners went 3-9 last season.
They opened their account by winning the Northern derby at QEYC in Tauranga, recording an emphatic 38-18 victory against Tauranga Whai.
The Kāhu, paced by 10 points from Kayla Manuirirangi, made every post a winner as they led by five points at quarter-time, 11 at the half and 14 at the three-quarter mark before pulling further away in the final stretch.
Azure Anderson posted four early points to pass Pahlyss Hokianga and become the Rapid League’s all-time leading scorer. With teenagers Imani Rasmussen and Sienna Maurice also adding to the scoring total, the Kāhu were well clear at the interval, leading 20-9.
A couple of Emily Monaghan plays increased the lead. The Australia-based Kiwi made a layup in transition before producing a steal and assist to set up Ella Fotu with the easiest of finishes.
Ahead 29-15, it was Manuirirangi, making a welcome return to top-flight basketball, who put the finishing touches on a largely one-sided contest.
It will be back to the drawing board for the Whai, with only Shamar Broughton (6 points, 5 rebounds and 2 steals) scoring more than three points on the evening
Tauranga Whai 18 – Shamar Broughton 6pts, 5rebs & 2stls
Northern Kāhu 38 – Kayla Manuirirangi 10pts, 4rebs, 3asts & 1stl; Shanique Lewis 7pts; Sienna Maurice 6pts & 4stls; Ella Fotu 6pts
Pouākai Open Parakiore With a Win
In the first Women’s Rapid League game played at Parakiore Stadium in Christchurch, the Yellow I Glass Mainland Pouākai beat the Southern Hoiho 36-23.
Kiana Duff and Alexa Duff were instrumental in giving Hoiho an early 10-6 advantage before Pouākai strung together a 10-0 run to lead 16-13 at half-time.
Duff moved her tally into double figures, but triples from Ava Jones and Ruby Cutbush extended the Pouākai lead to 28-20 with a quarter to play.
An Abby Harris three reduced the Hoiho deficit before Maddy Timms scored five straight points to put the seal on the Pouākai win.
Yellow I Glass Mainland Pouākai 36 – Ava Jones 8pts; Sari Mowbray 8pts; Maddy Timms 8pts & 7rebs; Ruby Cutbush 7pts; Emilia Ainley 5pts & 7rebs
Southern Hoiho 23 – Alexa Duff 12pts; Kiana Brown 4pts; Millie Simpson 2pts, 3rebs, 2asts, 2stls & 1blk
Kāhu Complete Perfect Opening Weekend
Less than 48 hours after their opening-day win, the Northern Kāhu travelled to Wellington and came away with a 35-27 victory against the 2025 Rapid League champion Tokomanawa Queens.
As in the clash with the Whai, the Kāhu were quickest out of the gate, establishing a 19-13 half-time lead with Shanique Lucas and Sienna Maurice stealing the limelight. Maurice produced a steal and breakaway layup on two occasions, with Lucas then draining a pair of triples.
Nahala Toeleiu kept the Queens in touch with six second-quarter points.
Another triple from Lucas, who was a perfect three from three from deep, and another from Kayla Manuirirangi propelled the Kāhu to a double-digit advantage. Although Toeleiu’s nine fourth-quarter points reduced the margin, Lucas and Manuirirangi expertly managed the closing minutes.
Tokomanawa Queens 27 – Nahala Toeleiu 15pts; Alaska Rhebok 5pts; Victoria Ikenasio 4pts & 5rebs
Northern Kāhu 35 – Shanique Lucas 14pts & 3stls; Kayla Manuirirangi 7pts; Emily Monaghan 5pts
Kāhu forward Azure Anderson became the Rapid League’s all-time leading scorer against the Whai, passing the 190 points scored by Pahlyss Hokianga, now a freshman at the University of Portland.
Sixteen-year-old Queens guard Nahala Toeleiu topped the individual scoring list in the opening round. The New Zealand U17 representative scored 15 points, shooting 4-of-5 from the field and 4-of-5 from the foul line.
| Position | Team | GP | W | L |
% won |
For | Agst |
Points % |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  |
Northern Kāhu | 2 | 2 | 0 | 100 | 73 | 45 | 162 |
| 2 |  |
Mainland Pouākai | 1 | 1 | 0 | 100 | 36 | 23 | 156 |
| 3 |  |
Tokomanawa Queens | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 27 | 35 | 77 |
| 4 |  |
Southern Hoiho | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 23 | 36 | 63 |
| 5 |  |
Tauranga Whai | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 18 | 38 | 47 |
