Awhina Tangen-Wainohu is a powerful prop for the Black Ferns and Waikato, celebrated for her resilience and dynamic play. She began her career in provincial rugby with Hawke’s Bay in 2017 before moving to Waikato where she has been a standout performer.

In 2022, she made her Black Ferns debut during the O’Reilly Cup Test series against Australia and was later selected for the Rugby World Cup squad. After a hiatus due to injury and motherhood, she made a remarkable return to professional rugby with the Blues in Super Rugby Aupiki 2025 and added valuable depth to the Black Ferns front row. She was also part of the Women’s Rugby World Cup squad.