A $68,000 equipment boost paved the way for South Auckland to host an international para table tennis tournament and will provide lasting benefits for local Manurewa club players.
The money covered the purchase of 12 professional-grade table tennis tables designed specifically to accommodate wheelchair users, high-quality umpiring tables, scorecards, tournament-grade balls, and premium international-standard purple flooring.
Manurewa Table Tennis Club President and Paralympic Head Coach John Tuki says the equipment was essential to the successful delivery of the ITTF Oceania Para Table Tennis Championships 2025. Held over three days in September at Rosehill College in Papakura, the tournament brought together 48 athletes representing Australia, Tuvalu, the Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Tonga, and Tahiti, showcasing the region’s top para table tennis talent. Among the competitors were 10 Paralympians, including Manurewa Table Tennis Club member Matthew Britz. It was the first time New Zealand has hosted the prestigious event.
“Hosting the ITTF Oceania Para Table Tennis Championships in South Auckland was a momentous achievement that carried deep significance for both the region and the sport,” John says.
But without the equipment upgrades, the venue would not have met the technical requirements for a sanctioned ITTF event, particularly one catering to para-athletes with diverse mobility needs.
“The new tables, barriers, flooring and accessibility upgrades ensured that athletes, officials, and spectators experienced a world-class environment that aligned with global expectations.”
John says bringing an international event of this calibre to South Auckland showcased the region’s capacity to deliver world-class sporting experiences. “It provided local residents, many of whom may not have previously had access to such high-level competition, the opportunity to witness elite para-athletes in action, inspiring future generations and promoting greater awareness of inclusivity, resilience and sporting excellence.”
After the tournament, the equipment stayed in the community, becoming a valuable resource for Manurewa Table Tennis Club, where John also coaches.
“Having this high-quality, internationally certified equipment onsite ensures that all members, from beginners to elite athletes, can train and compete on the same standard of equipment used in major international events.”
The 12 new tables feature an open undercarriage with no obstructive crossmembers or rear structural legs, allowing athletes in wheelchairs to position themselves comfortably and safely closer to the table, an essential factor for the performance of wheelchair athletes. The design promotes fair play, accessibility and inclusivity, enabling athletes of all abilities to train and compete with optimal equipment.
Manurewa Table Tennis Club is not the only organisation to benefit from South Auckland hosting a major international tournament. Ten table tennis tables have been donated to Rosehill College in a collaboration between Table Tennis New Zealand, the Counties Manukau Table Tennis Association, and Manurewa Table Tennis. This gift will establish a centralised hub for inter-school competition and community engagement. Additionally, John will provide ongoing weekly coaching at Rosehill College, ensuring the continued growth of student participation and skill development in table tennis across the region.
Wiri Licensing General Manager Kim Green says it was an easy decision for Trustees to provide recommendations of support to Trillian Trust for funding applications linked to the new equipment.
“We were thrilled that Trillian recognised the impact it would have in removing barriers to sport for so many groups in the community.
“We love getting behind initiatives that increase engagement in sport for our rangatahi. Research shows that disabled adults and young people participate in sport and physical activities less often than able-bodied people. The dedication John and the team at Manurewa Table Tennis Club have shown to breaking down those barriers and making sport more inclusive is inspiring.
“The new equipment serves as a lasting legacy from the Oceania Para Championships, ensuring that both current and future generations of players benefit from elite-level resources right here in the heart of Manurewa.”
Manurewa Table Tennis Club was established in 1947 as one of the region’s pioneering table tennis organisations.
Over the decades, the club has played a pivotal role in developing athletes, fostering community spirit, and promoting inclusivity through the sport. In 1988, it celebrated a landmark achievement when one of its athletes became the first player selected to represent New Zealand in table tennis at the Seoul Olympic Games. Continuing this legacy of excellence and inspiration, the club also produced the nation’s first selected para-athlete to represent New Zealand in Para table tennis at the 2025 Paris Paralympic Games.
With 120 members ranging in age from six to 76, the club delivers comprehensive pathway programmes that nurture talent from grassroots through to high-performance, ensuring every athlete has the chance to grow and succeed.
It is especially proud of its All Girls All Women initiative, which continues to empower female participation in sport under national female coach Betty Bai, as well as the nationally recognised, award-winning disability programme. This inclusive programme, the largest of its kind in New Zealand, caters for individuals with physical disabilities, neurodiverse conditions such as autism and those who are visually impaired.
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.
