More than 100 Polynesian athletes will gather in Auckland this March for the Polynesian Track and Field Championships, returning after a decade away. Delivered by Athletics New Zealand in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the championships will run alongside the 2026 New Zealand Track and Field Championships from 5 to 8 March at Trusts Arena.
The Polynesian Championships connects sport and culture, it also creates an opportunity ahead a busy international year of athletics. The Oceania Athletics Championships in Darwin, the most important meet in the area, goes from May 18-23, followed by the Commonwealth Games and World Under 20 Championships. Performances in Auckland will shape confidence and selection momentum as athletes chase the opportunity to represent their islands on bigger stages.
A key feature of the programme will be standalone Polynesian 100 metre finals for men and women. Those championship races, along with the Men’s Discus and Men’s Shot Put, will be showcased during Track Stars, New Zealand’s premier athletics entertainment event, broadcast live and free on TVNZ 1 and streamed on TVNZ+.
Samoa’s Alex Rose headlines the meet. He made history in Tokyo earlier this year, becoming Samoa’s first World Athletics Championships medallist with bronze in the discus, throwing 66.96 metres. The 33 year old brings vast experience, having competed at three Olympic Games and reaching the World, Olympic and Commonwealth finals. His composure on the global stage was clear in Tokyo when he rose to the occasion and he returns to the Pacific as one of its leading figures.
Tonga’s ʻAta Maama Tuutafaiva steps into the shot put circle as a three time Oceania champion, with her sights set on defending that title again in Darwin later this year.
French Polynesia arrives with the largest team across track and field. Sprint talent Alessa Llerena Soulie, the under 18 and under 20 record holder over 100 and 200 metres, will be one to watch in the Polynesian 100 metre final on Saturday night. Under 20 high jump record holder Teanavai Perez adds further depth in the field events. Decathlete Jacques Temarii will line up in individual events preparing for a decathlon later in 2026.
The Cook Islands athletes have been building momentum throughout the New Zealand Summer Circuit. Max Teuruaa has already broken national records in the 60 metre hurdles, 100 metre hurdles and pole vault, while Daniel Tolosa lowered his 60 metre mark. Distance runner Alex Beddoes returns to the track ahead of a big year.
Tuvalu’s Vaioleta Luka lines up in the Polynesian 100 metres after breaking multiple national sprint records in 2025. Samoa’s strength in the throws will be clear, with women’s hammer record holder Iorana Taufafo Tafili and men’s javelin record holder Donny Tuimaseve set to compete, alongside Pacific Games bronze medallist Johnny Malua in the men’s 100 metres.
Niue will see local talent wear their national colours in international competition for the first time, while American Samoa is represented by college athlete Matthew Fiso, who competed at the recent World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
Friends from the across the Pacific from Fiji will also line up at the NZ Track and Field Championships
Before competition begins, athletes have come together at AUT Millennium for a development camp focused on coaching and mentoring. Officials and coaches have also taken part in workshops designed to build capacity across Pacific federations.
Fans can tune in to Track Stars live and free from 7pm on 7 March on TVNZ One, stream on TVNZ+, or watch via PasifikaTV outside New Zealand.
In Person: Thursday AM & PM, Friday AM & PM, Saturday AM & PM Sunday AM & PM,
Live at The Trusts Arena, Auckland.
Tickets via Athletics New Zealand
Track Stars – Gates open 6:15pm Saturday
Live and FREE for General Admission
Premium Grandstand tickets for purchase.
The Trusts Arena, Auckland.
Tickets via Athletics New Zealand
Team lists can be seen below.
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