It’s been a mixed bag for the Mainland Pouākai over the first two Tauihi seasons, making the finals in 2022 before missing out last year after amassing just two wins, in total a return of 8 wins and 17 losses to date.
Finding the right formula continues to be the biggest challenge and 2024 will see that task fall to the Pouākai’s third coach in three years, Australian Paul Flynn. No other Tauihi team has undergone a revolving change of coaches like the Pouākai has.
And there is a bit to be said for the success that comes with stability when it comes to a head coach with Jody Cameron (Kāhu) and Tania Tupu (Queens) being the standout examples - both have claimed a Tauihi championship, and both continue to lead programmes that appear to be sought-after destinations for players.
Hopefully an era of success is about to start for the Pouākai under the leadership of Flynn.
Assembling this season’s Pouākai roster is yet to be completed, with (at the time of writing) one spot for a FIBA Asia import still to be filled, but so far so good.
A lot will rest on the shoulders of Canadian forward Cassandra Brown, who started one game for Townsville Fire in the Australian WNBL last year and averaged 6.8 points and 2.5 rebounds per game (23 games). Her body of work for Mt Gambier in the recent NBL1 season was impressive, with per game averages of 18 points and 7 rebounds.
Brown will be joined by tenacious Australian guard Michaela Cann, who has years of experience and an incredible work ethic, together with Brown they will form a formidable guard-forward punch.
And speaking of forwards out of Mt Gambier, the Pouākai have also landed Brown's teammate, American Haliegh Reinoehl, who averaged 15 points and 7 rebounds per game this past NBL1 season.
Similar to Brown at 188 centimeters, Reinoehl hails from Indiana and attended the University of Akron, before European stints in Switzerland and Germany.
The pick of the internationals at the Pouākai is unquestionably the 2024 WNBA-drafted (pick 28) McKenzie Forbes, a 182-centimeter Californian guard out of Harvard and USC.
Forbes averaged 11.7 points per game across her 124 NCAA games and was the Pac-12 Tournament MVP in her senior year with USC, resulting in her name being called out by the Los Angeles Sparks.
A season just completed with the Waverley Falcons in NBL1 yielded averages of 15 points and 4 rebounds per game.
The Pouākai's Kiwi contingent is headed by Esra McGoldrick and Sharne Robati, who are both recognised Tall Ferns and have already played plenty of Tauihi basketball alongside one another. McGoldrick has recently enjoyed some experience in Australia's WNBL and should start for the Pouākai alongside four internationals.
Tessa Morrison has returned home to Canterbury and is a solid pick-up, while youngsters Lauren Tewhata (formerly of the Queens), Ashlee Strawbridge and Vitolia Tuilave will enjoy plenty of minutes developing in Rapid League.
Kiwi Tara Manumaleuga is set for her first stint back on home soil and could prove to be a handy addition playing a key role off the bench. The Pouākai have also signed amateurs Maddie Timms and Hana Lacey-Rameka.
To be a genuine championship threat this season the Pouākai will rely heavily on Forbes and Cann in the back court, while together Brown, Reinoehl, McGoldrick and Robati must gel well and not crowd each other. The great unknown is the final FIBA Asia player yet to be announced - it could be a game-changer.
2024 Pouākai Home Games
Saturday Oct 199 – 4:00pm Rapid / 5:00pm Tauihi – Pouākai vs Kahu – Cowles Stadium (Christchurch)
Sunday Oct 27 – 2:00pm Rapid / 3:00pm Tauihi – Pouākai vs Hoiho – Cowles Stadium (Christchurch)
Sunday Nov 3 – 2:00pm Rapid / 3:00pm Tauihi – Pouākai vs Queens – Cowles Stadium (Christchurch)
Friday Nov 15 – 6:30pm Rapid / 7:30pm Tauihi – Pouākai vs Whai – Cowles Stadium (Christchurch)
Thursday Nov 28 – 6:30pm Rapid / 7:30pm Tauihi – Pouākai vs Hoiho – Cowles Stadium (Christchurch)
Friday Dec 6 – 6:30pm Rapid / 7:30pm Tauihi – Pouākai vs Queens – Cowles Stadium (Christchurch)
Pouākai Tickets & Memberships
Tickets: Pouākai Membership 2024 tickets | Tours and Events | Ticketek New Zealand
Memberships: Pouākai Membership 2024 tickets | Tours and Events | Ticketek New Zealand
2024 Pouākai Roster
0. McKenzie Forbes (USA – import)
1. Tessa Morrison (NZ – professional)
2. Tara Manumaleuga (NZ – professional)
3. Mikhaela Cann (Australia – FIBA Asia import)
4. Vitolia Tuilave (NZ – professional)
5. Haliegh Reinoehl (USA – import)
6. Lauren Tewhata (NZ – professional)
10. Ashlee Strawbridge (NZ – professional)
11. Sharne Pupuke-Robati (NZ – professional)
13. Esra McGoldrick (NZ – professional)
22. Cassandra Brown (USA – import)
Maddy Timms
Hana Lacey-Rameka
Predicted Starting 5
PG: Mikhaela Cann
SG: McKenzie Forbes
SF: Haliegh Reinoehl
PF: Esra McGoldrick
C: Cassandra Brown
All-Time Stats Leaders
Total Games Played: Lauryn Hippolite (25)
Total Points: Trinity Baptiste (248)
Total Rebounds: Trinity Baptiste (95)
Total Assists: Kennedy Leonard (106)
Total Steals: Lauryn Hippolite (15)
Total Blocks: Tessa Boagni (20)
Single Game Records
Points: Jasmine Dickey (33)
Rebounds: Tessa Boagni (15)
Assists: Kennedy Leonard (17)
Steals: Kennedy Leonard & Lauryn Hippolite (4)
