The 2026 One New Zealand Warriors Indigenous Round jersey, Te Ārahi, was created around the themes of leadership, whakapapa, unity and shared purpose. Designed by Māori artist Jayden Hokianga, Te Ārahi explores the different people and influences that guide us throughout our lives, recognising that leadership can take many forms.

The design draws inspiration from the sacred earthly tones of Papatūānuku, connecting the jersey to the whenua. Its flowing patterns reflect the responsibility of each person to contribute to a collective goal, expressing the idea that success is built through unity and shared purpose rather than individual achievement. The niho taniwha elements represent strength drawn from whakapapa and from the trials, lessons, sacrifices and people that shape a person's journey.

The name Te Ārahi speaks to leadership and guidance. Hokianga described the concept as celebrating the different forms and influences of leadership, with every player able to think of the people who have guided them throughout their own journey. The result is a design that connects the Warriors' players and their individual stories to something larger than themselves.

Worn against the Panthers

The Warriors wore Te Ārahi for the first time in their Round 23 NRL match against the Penrith Panthers on Friday, 7 August 2026, at Go Media Stadium in Auckland. The match brought together the meaning of the jersey with a major Indigenous Round occasion, with Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei providing a special welcome, Māori and Indigenous artists performing at halftime, and a cultural gift exchange between captains James Fisher-Harris and Isaah Yeo.

On the field, the Warriors produced a memorable performance against the competition-leading Panthers. They established an 18-0 halftime lead before going on to record a 28-12 victory. The match was also notable for Luke Metcalf's return to the NRL after a 405-day absence, with the halfback scoring twice, including a late try that sealed the win.

For the Warriors, Te Ārahi therefore became part of more than an Indigenous Round celebration. Its message of leadership, collective effort and drawing strength from those who came before was carried onto the field during a 28-12 victory over the Panthers.

The jersey remains a record of the 2026 Warriors season, Indigenous Round and the Te Ārahi concept, preserving the story behind a distinctive piece of Warriors kit.