Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu

BIOGRAPHY

Black Fern #263

Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu is an emerging powerhouse in New Zealand rugby, renowned for her  ball-carrying ability and physicality. A product of Hamilton Girls’ High School, she excelled across multiple sports including rugby, touch, and netball, representing Waikato, the Cook Islands, and New Zealand at age-grade level.

In 2021, she was part of the Waikato side that claimed the Farah Palmer Cup title, making her mark with a try in the final. Her dynamic and impactful performances saw her earn a contract with Chiefs Manawa for the 2025 Super Rugby Aupiki season, where she continued to impress with her strong carries and work rate.

Her form at domestic level translated into national recognition, with Mahutariki-Fakalelu breaking into the Black Ferns environment and earning opportunities during the 2025 international season which included her debut against USA at the Pacific Four Series and saw her earn a spot in the Women’s Rugby World Cup squad. Her performances highlighted her potential at the highest level and marked her as one of the exciting rising forwards in the Black Ferns setup.

Off the field, Veisinia is deeply committed to community service.