before the start of the
2008 World Cup A New Zealand Māori team first toured overseas in 1908 when they visited Australia. This tour was a success, and was followed by another tour to Australia in 1909 and to Great Britain in 1910. The first game of international rugby league on New Zealand soil was between the Māori and the
touring Great Britain Lions of 1910. This governing body was later renamed the Aotearoa Māori Rugby League and in 1992 it was registered as an incorporated society. The Māori team lost 34–26. In 2010, the Māori team played England at Mt. Smart Stadium in Auckland before the 2010
Rugby League Four Nations in New Zealand. After trailing 18–0 at halftime, the Māori came back to draw the match at 18–all. In October 2013, the side faced the touring
Murri Rugby League Team in a two–game series. The Māori side, featuring NRL players
Charlie Gubb,
Sam Rapira and
Bodene Thompson, won the first game 48–18 at Davies Park,
Huntly. The second game was played at Puketawhero Park,
Rotorua and was won by the Māori side, 32–16. In October 2014, the team travelled to Australia to play against the Queensland Māori team at Owen Park,
Southport and the
Murri Rugby League Team at BMD Kougari Oval,
Wynnum. In 2018 they took part in the NRL Festival of Indigenous Rugby League held in Redfern Sydney against the First Nation Goannas, they were beaten 22–16 in a thrilling finish. ==Jerseys==