The Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa is a women's professional basketball league in New Zealand.
History In December 2021, a new women's national basketball league was established for 2022 with five new franchises. The league's name Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa was announced in March 2022, with Tauihi meaning "to soar" and Aotearoa meaning New Zealand in Māori language. The inaugural teams included Northern Kāhu, Mid-North Whai, Tokomanawa Queens, Mainland Pouākai, and Southern Hoiho. The Queens were crowned the inaugural champions.
All five inaugural franchises continued for the league's second season in 2023. The Kāhu were crowned the 2023 champions.
In April 2024, the league announced a new season window of October to December and that international expansion was being explored. Increased player payments was also implemented in order to attract top women's players from around the world. The Whai were crowned the 2024 champions.
For the 2025 season, there had been a planned introduction of the Indian Panthers to the Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa, but following the collapse of the franchise in the men's NBL, the women's Panthers were also abolished. The Whai went on to win the 2025 championship to earn back-to-back titles.
Current clubs Club City(ies) Region(s) Arena(s) Colours Debut season Mainland Pouākai Christchurch Canterbury Parakiore Recreation and Sport Centre 2022 Northern Kāhu AucklandWhangārei Auckland RegionNorthland Eventfinda StadiumFranklin Pool and Leisure CentreMcKay StadiumThe Trusts Arena 2022 Southern Hoiho DunedinQueenstown Otago Edgar CentreQueenstown Events Centre 2022 Tauranga Whai Tauranga Bay of Plenty Queen Elizabeth Youth Centre 2022 Tokomanawa Queens Porirua Wellington Region Te Rauparaha Arena 2022
League championships Club Win(s) Loss(es) Total Year(s) won Year(s) lostTauranga Whai2022024, 2025–Tokomanawa Queens12320222023, 2024Northern Kāhu11220232022Mainland Pouākai011–2025Southern Hoiho000––
See also National Basketball League (New Zealand) New Zealand women's national basketball team
References
External links Official website Inaugural 2022 schedule "Northern Kāhu return to winning ways in Tauihi competition ahead of semifinals" at stuff.co.nz "Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa: Inside the creation of NZ's pro women's basketball league" at stuff.co.nz "Argentinean guard Florencia Chagas shines as Queens capture inaugural Tauihi crown" at stuff.co.nz Rapid League 2023 Award winners – 2022 2023 2024 2025