Matatū celebrates award winners at 2026 awards night
Last night, the Matatū whānau came together to celebrate a season like no other. Five years of Matatū - five years inspiring the next generation, building our brand of rugby, and taking Matatū to the world.
At our awards evening, we got a chance to reflect on the season, and while our season didn’t end how we had hoped, we achieved far more than we ever could have off the field. We also got a chance to celebrate the people who have embodied our qualities throughout the year, recognising three players whose contributions left a lasting mark on our team.
From on-field excellence to personal growth, these awards honour the very best of what it means to wear the Matatū jersey, and their significance extends far beyond the achievements they represent.
Ngāi Tahu Pounamu are the kaitiaki of our South Island greenstone and the source of authentic New Zealand pounamu. Their organisation upholds the importance of pounamu as a priceless expression of Māori identity, while protecting the rivers it comes from, supporting the artists who shape it and advocating for the communities that surround it.
Every Matatū debutant receives a beautifully carved traditional pounamu disc featuring the Matatū tohu, presented in a personalised rimu box as a lasting reminder of their place in our whānau.
For our major award winners, the taonga carries an even deeper connection.
Since 2022, Matatū has been gifted special usage of Aotea stone through Ngāi Tahu Pounamu and Te Rūnanga Makaawhio. Aotea is found exclusively in the Makaawhio (Jacobs) River in South Westland, where local iwi has cared for, gathered and traded the stone for generations.
Aotea Pounamu is regarded as carrying a feminine energy. Its distinctive light blue colouring mirrors the rivers, glaciers and waters that define Te Waipounamu and are reflected in the colours of Matatū itself.
Last night, three players were entrusted with that taonga in recognition of the impact they made throughout the 2026 season.
King crowned Aoraki Player of the Year
Elinor-Plum King has been named the recipient of the prestigious Aoraki Player of the Year Award, Matatū's highest individual honour.
Carved into a mere, a taonga traditionally reserved for wahine toa of great mana and prowess, the award reflects the significance of Aoraki – our greatest peak and a symbol of strength for Matatū.
King was a constant presence throughout the 2026 season, delivering week after week with a level of consistency that set the standard for those around her.
While often humble and understated away from the spotlight, her impact on the field was impossible to ignore.
Her relentless work ethic, willingness to put her body on the line and commitment to improving every aspect of her game helped bring the DNA of Matatū rugby to life every time she stepped onto the field.
Over the season, King continued to develop her role within both the attacking and defensive lineout, embracing new responsibilities and excelling in them. Her physicality remained a cornerstone of her game, but it was her growth and leadership through action that stood out just as much.
The numbers tell part of the story. King finished the season ranked amongst the competition's best defenders, recording a remarkable 95% tackle completion rate while also leading the way in turnovers won and jackals. She was the only Matatū player to play every minute of the season.
Yet statistics alone cannot capture her true value.
Whether through her actions, professionalism or unwavering determination, King consistently inspired those around her to be better.
For a season spent standing tall in every challenge and remaining immovable when her team needed her most, Elinor-Plum King is a deserving winner of the 2026 Aoraki Player of the Year Award.
Lokotui named Rookie of the Year
Paris Lokotui has been awarded the Koru Rookie of the Year Award, recognising the outstanding impact she has made during her first two years in the professional rugby environment.
Selected by the coaching staff, the award celebrates a player whose development, attitude and contribution have stood out from the moment they entered the programme.
For Lokotui, her influence was immediate. From day one, she brought an infectious energy to the environment, consistently showing up with enthusiasm, positivity and authenticity. Whether at training, in team meetings or on game day, she has become someone who naturally lifts those around her.
Her ability to absorb information, embrace feedback and quickly apply new learnings to her game has impressed coaches throughout the season and accelerated her development as a player.
Just as importantly, she has approached every challenge with an eagerness to learn and improve.
That mindset has not only helped advance her own game but has also contributed to raising standards across the wider group.
While the Rookie of the Year Award celebrates what Lokotui has already achieved, there is a strong sense that this is only the beginning.
Her future is bright, and the growth she has shown in such a short period suggests there is much more to come.
Bayfield earns Players' Choice Matatūtanga Award
The Players' Choice Matatūtanga Award was presented to Laura Bayfield, a fitting recognition from her teammates for the person who most consistently embodied Matatū's values throughout the 2026 season.
Voted on by the players, the award honours the individual who best lives the four Matatūtanga: Tūhono (connection), Tūtira (unity), Tūmanawa (determination) and Tūaho (legacy).
For Bayfield, those values were not reserved for game day. They were reflected in the way she showed up every day.
Through genuine care for others, she fostered meaningful connections across the squad and helped create an environment where everyone felt welcomed and valued.
Her commitment to putting the team first became a defining feature of her season. She embraced every role asked of her, celebrated the success of others and consistently prioritised the collective over personal recognition.
When challenges arose, Bayfield's courage and dedication never wavered. She maintained exceptionally high standards, competed fiercely and often provided a steadying presence during difficult moments.
Her impact also extended beyond her own performance. Through her investment in younger players and her selfless leadership, she helped strengthen the foundations of the programme for the future.
What made her contribution so powerful was its authenticity. Dependable, hardworking and deeply trusted by those around her, Bayfield didn't simply represent the Matatū values – she lived them.
The Players' Choice Matatūtanga Award is one of the most meaningful honours a player can receive, and Bayfield's selection reflects the immense respect she has earned from her teammates.
While rugby is ultimately a team sport, moments like these provide an opportunity to celebrate the individuals whose commitment helps shape the culture and identity of our club.
Congratulations to Elinor-Plum King, Paris Lokotui and Laura Bayfield on their outstanding achievements and well-deserved recognition at the 2026 Matatū Awards Night.
Their contributions have strengthened our team, inspired those around them and helped define what it means to be Matatū.