The Beginning: Auckland’s Big Leap (1995)

The idea of a New Zealand club competing in Australia’s top rugby league competition had floated around for decades. Backed by the Auckland Rugby League, the dream became reality in 1995 when the Auckland Warriors entered the Winfield Cup.  Their debut season drew huge crowds to Ericsson Stadium (now Go Media Stadium). A 10th-place finish in a 20-team league was a strong first step and proof that rugby league could thrive on Kiwi soil.

Chaos and Consolidation: The Super League Years (1996–1999)

The mid-1990s civil war in rugby league threw the new club into turmoil. Joining News Limited’s breakaway Super League in 1997, the Warriors returned to the unified NRL the following year. Financial pressures mounted, ownership shifted, and results wavered.

Becoming the New Zealand Warriors (2001)

A fresh era arrived with a name and identity change.  In 2001, the team became the New Zealand Warriors, adopting black and grey to reflect national sporting colours.  It was more than a rebrand; it was a statement of ambition to represent the whole country, not just Auckland.  Coach Daniel Anderson led a Kiwi-heavy squad featuring stars such as Stacey Jones and Monty Betham, playing a fast and fearless brand of footy.

The First Grand Final Run (2002)

In just their second year as the New Zealand Warriors, the club made history.  They won the minor premiership and stormed to their first NRL Grand Final in 2002, only to fall to the Sydney Roosters in front of 80,000 fans.  The loss stung, but the achievement proved the Warriors could compete with the best.

Building a Backbone: Mid-2000s Leaders

The mid-2000s were a period of rebuilding and raising standards.  Captains such as Steve Price and a young Simon Mannering became central figures. Mannering, who went on to play a club-record 301 games, epitomised resilience and professionalism, qualities that steadied the club through fluctuating results.

Another Shot at Glory: The 2011 Grand Final

The Warriors surged back into contention in 2011, with all three club grades (NRL, Under-20s, and NRLW pathways) reaching their respective grand finals.  The men’s side made it to the decider but fell short against Manly.  While heartbreak again followed, the run reinforced that the Warriors belonged on the NRL’s biggest stage.

Exile and Sacrifice: The Covid Years (2020–2022)

The pandemic tested the Warriors like no other team in the NRL. With border restrictions in place, they relocated to Australia for extended periods in 2020 and 2021.  Families were separated, line-ups were constantly patched together, and players endured immense personal sacrifice.

A New Badge: The One New Zealand Warriors (2022)

In late 2022, Vodafone New Zealand rebranded to One New Zealand, and the Warriors followed suit. The change of name to the One New Zealand Warriors reflected both a sponsorship and a symbolic alignment with the club’s role as a team for the entire nation.

A Renaissance Under Andrew Webster (2023)

Appointed head coach in 2023, Andrew Webster revitalised the Warriors.  Bringing clarity and belief, he instilled a disciplined, attacking style of play that propelled the team into the top four and a preliminary final.  Home games at Mount Smart became sell-out events, transforming the Warriors into the hottest ticket in town.

Mount Smart: A Fortress with Soul

Mount Smart Stadium, now Go Media Stadium, is the Warriors’ spiritual home.  It is a place of drums, kapa haka, Pacific beats, and fan rituals that make matchdays electric.  The stadium’s naming rights changed in 2023, but the roar of the terraces remains the heartbeat of the club.

“Up the Wahs”: A Catchcry Becomes a Movement

The phrase “Up the Wahs” exploded into the national consciousness in 2023.  It became a chant, a meme, and a cultural shorthand for optimism and pride.  From workplaces to playgrounds, the call resonated everywhere, symbolising the Warriors’ unique place in New Zealand life.

Crowds Like Never Before

The 2023 and 2024 seasons saw unprecedented demand.  Every home game was sold out, an achievement not seen in the club’s history.  For a country traditionally dominated by rugby union, the Warriors were suddenly setting the weekend agenda.

Rivals, Heartbreaks, and Resilience

The near-misses of 2002 and 2011 cut deep, but they also fuelled resilience.  Warriors fans, hardened by disappointment, have remained loyal.  That loyalty was rewarded in the team’s resurgence of the 2020s, where belief turned into a movement.

Why the Warriors Matter

The Warriors’ story is about more than wins and losses. It is about identity, resilience, and belonging. They have weathered turbulence, shouldered immense sacrifices, and turned hope into habit. They represent a place where Pacific and Māori culture stands proudly on the world stage.

The chant says it best: Up the Wahs. It is more than a cheer; it is a declaration that the Warriors are part of who we are.