Waikato have been crowned the winners of the Lummy Newton Trophy in the Waka section of the 2016 New Zealand Māori Rugby League Nationals held in Wainuiomata.
The side beat Tūhoe in the final of the Waka section, 12-4.
If the haka were anything to go by the final of the Waka section at this year's NZMRL Māori Rugby League Nationals was always going to be electric.
Tūhoe ki Tāmaki and Waikato were contesting the finals of the Waka section of the tournament this year.
The final was an enthralling end to the three-day long tournament.
The resilience of Tūhoe ki Tāmaki showed through in the first half of the match. The side did not stray from the form that got them through the preliminary rounds.
However, Waikato was exactly the same. At every turn and corner of the game they showed up with force.
There was no love lost in this momentous battle with both sides putting on the defensive masterclass of the tournament.
It didn't take long for Waikato to gain momentum, running in a beautiful try from 20 metres out.
A try from Tūhoe ki Tāmaki right on full time was still not enough to come back.
In other finals, Ngāti Umutahi came out on top in the wāhine section of the competition.
Next year's Māori Rugby League Nationals will be hosted in Rotorua, by the Te Arawa confederate.