The Cook Islands and New Zealand Māori competed in the women's Pacific Cup for the first time,[5] with it being the first tournament for the Māori women's team and the first time that a senior Māori side had competed in an international event since the men's team at the 2001 Pacific Cup.[6][7] All matches were played at Lloyd Elsmore Park (the final was originally to be played on the outer oval at Eden Park).[8]
Papua New Guinea were the defending champions, having won the previous edition of the tournament, which was played in Vanuatu in October 2022.[9]
The Cook Islands played warm-up matches against Auckland University Cricket Club and Kumeu Cricket Club.[10][11] The Papua New Guinea squad held a pre-tournament training camp in Napier.[12]
The tournament was broadcast live on TVNZ, New Zealand Cricket's YouTube channel and Sky Pacific.[11] Papua New Guinea retained the trophy after defeating the New Zealand Māori in the final.[13] Vanuatu defeated Samoa in the third place play-off, and their all-rounder Rachel Andrew was named as player of the tournament.[14] Cook Islands won the fifth place play-off against Fiji.[15]
Rachael Auora, Tai Elikana, Zamera Ikiua, Tetiare Mataora, Raupa Vila, Esther Williams (Cok), Avetia Mapu and Francesca Nafanua (Sam) all made their T20I debuts.
New Zealand Māori won the toss and elected to bat.
Notes
^Matches involving New Zealand Māori did not have T20I status.
^Samantha Curtis captained New Zealand Māori in their third match of the tournament and Jess McFadyen captained the team in their fourth and fifth matches.