We are pleased to announce Finney Davis, Chair of Māori Touch NZ, has been appointed to the newly created position of Pou Tikanga of Touch New Zealand.

The position of Pou Tikanga is a positive step forward for the partnership between TNZ & MTNZ and reflects the mahi Touch New Zealand has done in recent years to fulfill its commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

As Pou Tikanga, Finney Davis will support Touch New Zealand with advice, guidance as well as support at all National events.

Joe Sprangers, Group Chief Executive of Touch New Zealand, acknowledges the importance of this role and looks forward to the positive, meaningful impact it will heed both internally at TNZ and with the wider Touch community,

“Having Matua Finney, who I have known for many years, in this position shows how seriously we are taking this part of our journey as an organisation. We are committed to working hard to support Māori aspiration within our sport, doing better, and getting better”

For Davis, this mahi is just one way MTNZ can support both tangata whenua and tangata tiriti in touch,

“I am excited to step into this role and acknowledge Joe and Touch New Zealand for their bravery and leadership in establishing this opportunity. I also acknowledge our MTNZ Trustees and whanau that have supported this mahi, agreeing that for us to truly serve Te Ao Māori we need to go to our people – all of our people,”

Davis continues, adding that MTNZ has a responsibility to support this space,

“Māori Touch NZ is more than a tournament that happens once a year, we are kaitiaki and take that position seriously. The Pou Tikanga position – and all that comes with it, is a taonga that we present TNZ and the wider community, Maori and non- Maori”

In 2023 Touch New Zealand embarked on a journey to improve how Māori are served through the sport of Touch. The result of this process is the Touch New Zealand Māori Outcomes framework. You can review that by clicking here.

Stephen Upton, Board Chair of Touch New Zealand says the adoption of this role and appointment of Matua Finney - were supported unanimously,

“The Board of Touch NZ had no hesitation in supporting the appointment of Matua Finney to this new role. Strategically it is critical that TNZ works hard to develop capability and capacity within our sta[ and our people as part of our commitment to

Te Tiriti o Waitangi and we are excited by the opportunity Finney’s appointment provides to achieve that”

About Touch New Zealand: Touch New Zealand is an incorporated society registered with the Charities Commission. Head office is in Mt Wellington, Auckland however the sport is embedded across New Zealand and is overseen by our 19 Provincial Associations and 223 community Touch competitions.

About Māori Touch New Zealand: Māori Touch NZ is the official Māori Sports Organisation for Touch in Aotearoa. Responsible for supporting and developing the sport of Touch in Māori communities alongside our hapū, rohe, iwi and takiwā, the organization was established in 1998.

Article added: Monday 10 February 2025