He came home to the Pa to lift his family club at the forefront of Tasman Tasman Premier, and talented playmaker Te Atawhai Mason has been rewarded with recognition as 2025’s Most Valuable Player.

The MVP prize is determined by most overall points awarded after each Premier regular season match, on a 3-2-1 allocation basis – it does not include the semifinals or final.

A 2019 Whanganui Collegiate 1st XV alumni, Mason has developed his game in Manawatu and Taranaki, and made an immediate impact with Tāmata Hauhā Rātana, starting in his preferred first-five spot and later providing injury cover at fullback.

He scored four tries in the season opener with Marton, the only Premier game played by their Rangitikei neighbours before going into recess, and would finish with seven for the campaign.

 An instinctual attacker who makes instant decisions once he gets the ball in his hands, Mason was leading the MVP standings at the end of the first round from another newcomer in Waverley Harvesting Border’s strong loose forward Ekenasio Fiso, followed by Dave Hoskin Carrier Marist’s linchpin halfback Daniel Kauika and Wanganui Car Centre Kaierau’s dynamic utility back Ethan Robinson.

Injury in the second round saw Robinson fade from contention while Kauika, who displayed superb game management in Marist’s rise up the points table, also concurrently rose in the MVP standings above the still consistent Fiso.

But none could catch Mason, who got to switch back to first-five for Rātana’s last two games while also impressing for the resurrected Rangitikei sub-union team for their historic match with Northern.

He finished on 15 MVP points, a very impressive haul from only 8-9 matches.

Byfords Readimix Taihape’s centre-winger Tiari Mumby had a strong second round for the eventual Premier Rosebowl champions, to finish with a share of third place.

Mason winning the MVP award for Rātana highlights a high quality competition where all five clubs finished with one of the major prizes.

Taihape were crowned Rosebowl champions, Kaierau won the Paul Mitchell Cup (first round leaders), Border finished with the Barracks Challenge Shield, and Marist won the Weekes Cup – shared with their Forest 360 Knights club-mates for best combined regular season points by a club across Premier and Senior.

Most Valuable Player final standings

1. Te Atawhai Mason (Rātana) 15 points; 2. Daniel Kauika (Marist) 13; 3=. Ekenasio Fiso (Border) 12; 3=. Tiari Mumby (Taihiape) 12.
 

By Jared Smith