Papua New Guinea celebrated beating Aotearoa Maori in the final. Photo: Christina Persico/RNZ
The Papua New Guinea women's cricket team has successfully defended its Pacific Cup championship title, beating Aotearoa Māori by 5 wickets in the final in Auckland.
Aotearoa Māori, who won the toss and opted to bat first, were all out for 87 runs.
Papua New Guinea bowled well, limiting run opportunities for the New Zealand team.
PNG's captain, Brenda Hoi Tau said it's been a tough competition and she's proud of her team.
She said the team is also thankful for all the wonderful support it received during the competition.
"Families back home, our country members, everyone. We want to say everything to everyone for their support and love, everything they have given us. It's been a blessing.
"It's been a tough time, but we are glad that everything worked out."
PNG's captain, Brenda Hoi Tau Photo: Christina Persico/RNZ
One highlight for Hoi Tau in this competition has been playing against the first Aotearoa Māori team.
Hoi Tau said it's always great coming to Aotearoa and playing against the other Pacific teams and sharing each other's Pacific culture as well.
She said women's cricket is growing in PNG, and that is being supported by some great coaches coming through.
"We have coach David Drew and he's going to be with us for a longer period."
The Aotearoa Māori Women's cricket team is the first New Zealand team to compete in the Pacific Cup.
Aotearoa Māori captain Kerry Tomlinson leads her team to shake hands with the victorious Papua New Guineans. Photo: Christina Persico/RNZ
Captain Kerry Tomlinson said it's been an absolute honour to lead the first-ever Maori team.
"There's massive pride for all the girls and everyone involved," she said.
"You can feel how special it is in this environment."
Samoa, Vanuatu, Fiji, and the Cook Islands were the other teams in the 2024 competition.
Tomlinson said all six teams showed how much they can compete - "even PNG came out today and took us on and came out with a win".
Papua New Guinea bowled well in the final - dismissing Aotearoa Maori for 87. Photo: Anthony Persico
Celebrating cricket and culture
The diversity and inclusion lead at New Zealand Cricket, Andrew Tara, said the last few days have been a real celebration of culture.
"When we put our hand up to host this tournament, we had high hopes that what we have seen off and, on the field, would take place.
"But that takes all the teams coming together and I think that's part of our cultures - is to unify, come together, and that's what it has been, a celebration of culture on and off the field."
He said the culture night event was a big reflection on the kind of cricket that has been played.
"Lots of support, lots of laughter, lots of colour, lots of singing, and that's been great."
He said it's important that cricket is seen to be open to lots of different cultures.
"From a New Zealand Cricket perspective, we want to see the growth of female cricket, not just here in Aotearoa but across the Pacific as well, and that's one of the primary reasons we put our hand up to host this tournament."
