The Ngongotaha Chiefs are a New Zealand rugby league club based in Ngongotahā, near Rotorua in the Bay of Plenty region. The club was founded in 1938 as the Ngongotaha Rugby League club. It went into recess during the Second World War and at various times operated under the names Hui Mai, Awahou, and Waitete—marae-based teams from Ngongotaha—before being re-established as Ngongotaha Rugby League.
Competition History
The club currently competes in the Bay of Plenty Rugby League competition. In 2000 and 2001, the Chiefs participated in the Bartercard Cup, a national-level rugby league competition in New Zealand. In the 2000 season, they won 4 of 22 matches, finishing 11th out of 12 teams. In 2001, they lost all 16 matches they played before withdrawing from the competition, not contesting the final six rounds. Their home ground is Puketewhero Park (also referred to as Neil Hunt Park).
Notable Players
The most prominent players associated with the club are the Orchard brothers: Robert, Phillip, Eddie, and John. Both Robert and Phillip Orchard represented the New Zealand national rugby league team (the Kiwis). Phillip Orchard has been inducted into the New Zealand Rugby League Hall of Fame. Other notable players include Mark Woods, who also represented New Zealand, and Ray Turton, who served the club for more than 50 years. The club has also produced numerous age-group representatives at NZ 15s, 16s, 17s, 18s, Junior Kiwis, and NZ Maori levels.
Club Facilities
The clubrooms are located at Neil Hunt Park on Tarawera Road, Rotorua, on land leased from the Rotorua District Council. The clubroom seats approximately 110 people and is available for hire.
