THE PEOPLES’ GAME premieres Thursday 6 November at 8.00PM on Whakaata Māori and Māori+.

Series producer Hikurangi Jackson says the documentary series is the story of the volunteers, the battlers, and the legends who’ve kept the game alive for nearly fifty years.

“Touch isn’t just a sport — it’s part of the social fabric of Aotearoa,” says Hikurangi Jackson.

“We wanted to celebrate the people who built it, often quietly, without recognition or reward - underfunded but unstoppable, driven by passion more than pay.”

“We meet the players who shaped it and the pioneers who carried it forward – legends like Peter Walters, aka ‘Mr Touch’, the boy from Ahipara – and the next generation keeping the flame burning.”

Touch was introduced to Aotearoa in the mid-1970s and has grown to become one of the country’s most popular social sports, with over 100,000 registered players across community and competitive leagues nationwide.

“It’s a sport that crosses generations, cultures and codes – and where some of our biggest sporting names got their start,” says Hikurangi Jackson.

Famous “touchies” who went on to stardom include Richie Mo’unga, Jenny-May Clarkson, Stacey Waaka and Tyla King, among many others.

COMING UP ON THE PEOPLES’ GAME

EPISODE 1: THURSDAY 6 NOVEMBER 8.00PM – Peter Walters: Mr Touch – The man who defined the game. Peter Walters aka “Mr Touch” has devoted over four decades to the sport, inspiring players across the globe. Follow him from his beginnings in Ahipara to Panmure, where his signature moves were born, and to the Touch World Cup — possibly his final appearance on the world stage. What drives him, what keeps him humble, and why does he still love the game?

EPISODE 2: THURSDAY 13 NOVEMBER 8.00PM – History And Challenges Of The Sport –

Where did touch begin in Aotearoa, and what’s kept it going? We trace the sport’s rise from schoolyards and club nights to international success. Along the way we meet the pioneers — from the first Touch Blacks team to the man who brought the game here — and examine the ongoing struggle to sustain it through volunteer effort and community passion.

EPISODE 3: THURSDAY 20 NOVEMBER 8.00PM – Wāhine Toa – Meet the trailblazers reshaping the women’s game. From powerhouse teams like Playin Up and Bulletz to the pioneering wāhine who carved the path before them, this episode celebrates the strength and sisterhood of women in touch. We also meet the McIntyre whānau — three generations proudly involved in the Touch Blacks system.

EPISODE 4: THURSDAY 27 NOVEMBER 8.00PM – Mita Graham: The Battler – Captain, mentor, battler. Mita Graham has been a cornerstone of the Touch Black Men’s team since his early 20s. As he heads toward what may be his final World Cup, Mita reflects on his journey, the role of whānau, and how Te Ao Māori continues to shape his leadership and legacy.

EPISODE 5: THURSDAY 4 DECEMBER 8.00PM – Māori Touch Tourney – The Māori Touch Tournament is a highlight of the sporting calendar — a gathering of community, culture and competition. We follow two teams as they prepare, discovering that this event is about far more than winning. It’s a chance to reconnect, to express identity, and to celebrate the pride of being Māori through sport.

EPISODE 6: THURSDAY 11 DECEMBER 8.00PM – Cross-Coders – Touch has long been the breeding ground for some of Aotearoa’s greatest athletes. From the All Blacks’ Richie Mo’unga to Jenny-May Clarkson, Stacey Waaka, Tyla King and more, this episode explores how touch has shaped their careers — and their characters.

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