Central Manawa are a New Zealand netball team based in

Wellington Wellington ( mi, Te Whanganui-a-Tara or ) is the capital city of New Zealand. It is located at the south-western tip of the North Island, between Cook Strait and the Remutaka Range. Wellington is the second-largest city in New Zealand by me ...

. Since 2016 they have represented Netball Central in the National Netball League. Netball Central is the governing body that represents the Hawke's Bay,

Manawatū-Whanganui Manawatū-Whanganui (; spelled Manawatu-Wanganui prior to 2019) is a region in the lower half of the North Island of New Zealand, whose main population centres are the cities of Palmerston North and Whanganui. It is administered by the Manawat ...

Taranaki Taranaki is a region in the west of New Zealand's North Island. It is named after its main geographical feature, the stratovolcano of Mount Taranaki, also known as Mount Egmont. The main centre is the city of New Plymouth. The New Plymouth Dist ...

and Wellington Regions. They are effectively the reserve team of

Central Pulse Central Pulse are a New Zealand netball team based in Wellington. Between 2008 and 2016, they played in the ANZ Championship. Since 2017 they have represented Netball Central in the ANZ Premiership. Netball Central is the governing body that r ...

. Between 2016 and 2018 they played as Central Zone. Since 2019, they have played as Central Manawa. Between 2017 and 2019, Central Zone/Central Manawa won three successive NNL titles. In 2022, Central Manawa won a fourth title.

History

Foundation

2016 File:2016 Events Collage.png, From top left, clockwise: Bombed-out buildings in Ankara following the 2016 Turkish coup d'état attempt; the impeachment trial of Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff; Damaged houses during the 2016 Nagorno-Karabakh ...

, Central Zone where founder members of

Netball New Zealand Netball New Zealand is the national body which oversees, promotes and manages netball in New Zealand, including the Silver Ferns. In 2019, 137,713 players were registered with Netball New Zealand, the governing body for organised netball in the co ...

's National Netball League. In the inaugural grand final a Central Zone team coached by

Yvette McCausland-Durie Yvette McCausland-Durie is a New Zealand netball coach and former netball player. As a player, she played for Western Flyers during the National Bank Cup era and represented New Zealand at under-21 level. She was a member of the New Zealand te ...

lost 51–46 to Netball South.

Three successive titles

In 2017, Central Zone won their first National Netball League title. With a team featuring

Karin Burger Karin Burger (born 12 April 1993) is a New Zealand netball international. She was a member of the New Zealand teams that won the 2019 Netball World Cup and the 2021 Constellation Cup. Burger has also played for both Central Pulse and Mainland T ...

Rhiarna Ferris Rhiarna Ferris (born 27 June 1992) is a New Zealand rugby player. She played for the Black Ferns Sevens team internationally and competes for Hurricanes Poua in the Super Rugby Aupiki competition. Biography Ferris attended Taradale High Schoo ...

Tiana Metuarau Tiana Metuarau (born 15 January 2001) is a New Zealand netball international. Between 2017 and 2020, she was a prominent member of the Central Pulse team that won the 2018 Super Club title and the 2019 and 2020 ANZ Premiership titles. In 202 ...

Kimiora Poi Kimiora Poi (born 1 November 1997) is a New Zealand netball international. She was a member of the New Zealand teams that won the 2017 Netball World Youth Cup, the 2018 Fast5 Netball World Series and the 2021 Constellation Cup. Since 2018, P ...

and

Ainsleyana Puleiata Ainsleyana Puleiata (born 23 July 2000) is a Samoan New Zealanders, Samoan New Zealander netball player who has represented Samoa internationally. She plays for the Central Pulse. Puleiata is from Porirua and was educated at Windley School and St ...

, they won the title after defeating Hellers Netball Mainland 43–41 in the grand final at

The Trusts Arena The Trusts Arena is an indoor arena located in Henderson, New Zealand, Henderson, Auckland, New Zealand. It is a multi-purpose stadium that primarily holds sports events and music concerts. The Arena was opened by then Prime Minister of New Ze ...

. Central Zone retained the title in 2018 after defeating Waikato Bay of Plenty 62–53 in the grand final. Ahead of the 2019 season, the team adopted a new name, voted on by the public. The now renamed Central Manawa, completed a three in a row after defeating Waikato Bay of Plenty 49–46 in the 2019 grand final.

Fourth title

In 2022 with a team featuring Renee Matoe, Parris Mason and Amelia Walmsley, Central Manawa won a fourth title after defeating Mainland 49–41 in the grand final.

Grand Finals

Notable players

Internationals

; ; * Eseta Autagavaia *

Saviour Tui Saviour Tui (born 17 October 2001) is a Samoa netball international. Tui was a member of three title winning teams in New Zealand's National Netball League. In 2018 and 2019, Tui won titles with Central Zone/Central Manawa. In 2021 she won a ...

; *

'Api Taufa 'Api Taufa is a Tongan New Zealander netball player who has represented Tonga internationally. She plays for the Central Manawa. She is the sister of netballer Salote Taufa. Education Taufa was educated at Newlands College. In 2016 she was pa ...

* Salote Taufa

Central Pulse players

ANZ Premiership players

* Abby Erwood * Kelsey McPhee * Grace Namana

Others

, New Zealand women's rugby sevens international

NNL Player of the Year

Coaches

Head coaches

Assistant coaches

Honours

* National Netball League **''Winners'': 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022 **''Runners Up'': 2016

References

{{Sport in Wellington Central Pulse Netball teams in New Zealand National Netball League (New Zealand) Sports clubs and teams established in 2016 2016 establishments in New Zealand Sport in Wellington