The Manurewa Marlins might be the largest rugby league club in New Zealand, but this club is more than just a sporting organisation — it’s a central pillar of the ’Rewa and South Auckland communities.
Fielding 57 teams in the 2025 season, the Marlins have a long history of success. Its senior men’s team is a former winner of the prestigious Fox Memorial Shield, and it boasts an impressive list of players who have gone on to become league superstars.
Current Warrior Erin Clark is a former player, and Lance Hohaia and Mark Tookey also spent time at Manurewa whilst playing for the New Zealand Warriors in the NRL. Former Marlins Salesi Foketi, now at the Sydney Roosters, and Deine Mariner, now at the Brisbane Broncos, are both current NRL players.
On the women’s side of the sport, Warriors captain Apii Nicholls is a former Marlins player, as is Makayla Eli, who played for the South Sydney Rabbitohs and Manly Warringah Sea Eagles in the NSW Women’s Premiership. Recently, she was signed on a two-year deal by the Warriors for their NRLW debut. Kerehitina Matua and Mackenzie Wiki are both players for the Canberra Raiders NRLW team and Ngtokotoru Arakua is part of the Gold Coast Titans.
However, when you browse the club’s website, the on-field activities are only part of the story.
The club is passionate about creating strong social and economic benefits for its members and the community. It values accountability for its actions and demonstrating respect in the way people across the organisation are treated.
It takes pride in nurturing and developing everyone who seeks its help, from the youngest competitors to its oldest players and the wider Marlins community.
An example of this is the Breast Cancer Breakfast the club has organised for the past five years, just one of the many initiatives the club undertakes to support issues that impact its players and their families. The 2025 breakfast was held in June at Woodside and provided an opportunity for participants to engage with breast cancer survivors and to learn about the importance of regular self-checks and screening.
Wiri Licensing Trust General Manager Kim Green says the club’s incredible community spirit is one of the reasons Trust Board members are committed to supporting the Marlins.
The Trust has provided recommendations of support for the Trillian-funded Sports Administrator role for the past six years and has backed the club’s applications for funding for various equipment in the past.
It recently signed a sponsorship agreement with the Marlins to cover some of the playing costs for its premier players, and Woodside Restaurant and Bar provides $40 Player of the Day vouchers for the five senior teams.
The Marlin’s junior teams are also supported by the Trust, which provided 532 player of the day certificates at the start of the 2025 season.`
Marlins Secretary Phyllis Latu says that through its 57 teams, the club supports more than 880 families.
“League is a sport that keeps the whole family involved and so many of our families can’t pay for each member to join or cover the full cost of equipment, uniforms and fees.”
Sponsorship and grant funding allows the club to reduce the cost participation for all its members, keep families in the sport and provide an increased number of opportunities for players year-on-year.
Wiri Licensing Trust wants to connect with local community groups and organisations that are doing great work in our hood to understand how we can better support you – email us at info@wiritrust.org.nz.
