1. Core Purpose

The Aotearoa Māori Tennis Association Inc. (AMTA) is dedicated to fostering, developing, and encouraging the game of tennis for Māori, while upholding all aspects of Tikanga Māori in accordance with the Association’s constitution. 

2. General Membership & Entry Eligibility

In the spirit of whānaungatanga, tournament entry is open to: 

• Any person of Māori descent.
• Any non-Māori person who is legally married to, or in a permanent de-facto relationship with, a Māori person. (A permanent de-facto relationship is defined as a couple living together as a family unit without being legally married). 

3. Conditions for Non-Māori Participants

To ensure the tournament retains its core purpose, non-Māori players who qualify through marriage or partnership must adhere to the following entry criteria:

• Singles Grades: Non-Māori players are strictly prohibited from entering any Singles events, including the Open Men’s and Open Women’s Singles. 
• Mixed or Doubles grades:(Spousal Requirement): Non-Māori players may only enter the Mixed or Doubles grades if they are partnered directly with their Māori spouse or de-facto partner in one of the grades.  If they elect to play in the other Doubles grade their playing partner must be of Māori descent.
• Couples Without Children: If a non-Māori spouse/partner enters the tournament and the couple does not have children, the Māori spouse/partner must also actively play in the tournament. 

4. Children of Mixed Partnerships

Children of a marriage or permanent de-facto relationship between a Māori and non-Māori parent inherit full eligibility through their Māori lineage and face none of the restrictions listed in Section 3.

Executive Discretion:

The AMTA Executive Committee retains the absolute right to decline any entry or review high-ranking non-Māori players to ensure fair play and protect the tournament’s integrity.