It has been one amazing week for the Suva Ferns.

The surprises kept on coming for the netball team from St Anne’s Primary School during their first-ever Zespri AIMS Games experience in Tauranga.

Earlier in the week, the team - dubbed the Suva Ferns - were surprised with a visit from Vilimaina Davu, the former international star who represented both Fiji and New Zealand.

“This exposure will be a life changing event for the girls to come to New Zealand, the most fierce netball nation,” spokesperson Laisa Matairakula said.

Fiji’s netball team were brought to tears by an emotional pōhiri welcoming them to their first-ever Zespri AIMS Games.

St Anne’s manager Laisa Matairakula sheds tears at an emotional international pōhiri at Tauranga Intermediate on Saturday. Photo: Zach Quin.

International athletes were greeted with a powerful kapa haka performance by Tauranga Intermediate School pupils on Saturday ahead of the city’s biggest intermediate-aged sports tournament.

The games had not yet begun but St Anne’s Primary School had already made a lifetime of memories. 

The team was also apologetically late to the pōhiri due to some car troubles en route from Auckland to Tauranga, but Matairakula said they were “relieved” to have finally made it.

Dressed in traditional Fijian Tapa dresses, the girls were visibly touched by the haka and tapped their feet to the rhythm of Māori waiata. Matairakula was brought to tears by the welcoming. 

“I’m a sucker for tradition, and I’ve always loved how Māori people try to preserve their culture.

“You go to a marae, you see the carvings, and how passionate they are about their culture. It’s sacred to them, and I can relate because I have it too back home.”

On Sunday, they flew Fiji’s flag in traditional Tapa dress at the opening ceremony.

The weekdays were spent playing against schools from across New Zealand – with another surprise, this time from the newest Silver Fern Claire O’Brien.

St Anne’s manager Laisa Matairakula said the AIMS debutants’ week in New Zealand has been “nothing short of amazing”.

“It is a first and new tradition for St Anne’s School.”

St Anne’s Primary School netball team at the AIMS Games. Photo: Michael Bradley.

Laisa said the welcoming pōhiri at Tauranga Intermediate School on Saturday “melted our hearts”. 

“We were so blessed to witness such a unique event,” she said. “We have been spoiled from day one.”

After five days of competitions, St Anne’s finished up in the C-D Grade.

“Not bad for first-timers,” Laisa said.

They’ve been taking part in every AIMS opportunity, including dressing in pink to support the Positive Vibes Only campaign organised by Sport Bay of Plenty.

Then, there was an impromptu moment on the sidelines that connected cultures.

After playing Auckland’s Marist College, the two schools took a second off the courts to acknowledge one another. 

Surprising Suva, Marist College gifted the Fijian team a lei of lollies each and a Kiwiana-themed hamper filled with New Zealand goodies including L&P, Whittakers chocolate and pineapple lumps. 

In response, St Anne’s sang a traditional Fijian song as the two teams stood in a circle with their arms around one another.

St Anne’s Primary School netball team at the AIMS Games. Photo: Michael Bradley.

It is this sort of spontaneous kindness on the sporting sidelines that shows just how far AIMS Games has gone to make the first-time visitors from across the South Pacific feel welcome. 

“It is important to acknowledge our roots and celebrate our cultures,” Marist College netball team manager Victoria Malone said. 

St Anne’s netball coach Ana Koroi said the girls routinely sing before and after their games. 

“It's got a lot of meaning to me, everytime the girls sing I cry,” said team manager Joanna Lesuma through tears.

EVES Real Estate also supplied the Suva Ferns with a gazebo, beanies, sports bags and umbrellas this week.

“We wanted them to feel warm and welcome. Bringing an international team over is a massive commitment,” EVES sponsorship and events manager, Vicki Semple, said. 

“It gives the tournament and the community a boost so we wanted to do something special for the Fijian team.”

The St Anne’s team returned to Fiji on Saturday September 14 after a trip that Laisa said will be etched on their hearts forever. 

“Until 2025, vinaka vakalevu Auckland and Tauranga. Sota tale – see you later.”

St Anne’s Primary School netball team at the AIMS Games. Photo: Michael Bradley.

Story:Zoe Hunter and Isabella Root