About Us
Mantis Management was born from lived experience, a firsthand understanding of the challenges faced by emerging athletes, especially Māori players navigating the high pressures of professional sport. After years of involvement in elite rugby league systems, our founder recognised a critical gap too many players, particularly from rural and underrepresented communities, were talented but lacked proper guidance, advocacy, and cultural understanding during key stages of their careers.
Being a Māori led agency shapes everything we do. Our values are rooted in whanaungatanga (relationships), manaakitanga (care), and tino rangatiratanga (self-determination). We don’t just manage contracts we walk alongside our athletes, honoring their identity, and supporting their full journey both on and off the field. Our approach is holistic, grounded in culture, and focused on long term success. We believe that when athletes are seen, heard, and equipped with the right tools, they not only perform, they thrive.
Mantis Management exists to ensure the next generation of Māori and Pasifika players have access to transparent, player first representation that reflects who they are and where they come from.
Player-First Commitment
At Mantis Management, player first representation isn’t just a slogan it’s our foundation. It means every decision we make, every conversation we have, and every strategy we build starts with the athlete at the centre. We're not here to chase quick contracts or stack our portfolio. We're here to guide, protect, and empower our players for long term success, on the field, in life, and beyond the game.
Here’s what that looks like in real life
Personalized Development Plans:
For a young back rower from Northland, we didn't just focus on getting him signed. We worked with his family, created a tailored training and nutrition plan, and connected him with a mentor who’d played at the highest level.
Cultural Safety and Advocacy:
One of our players felt misunderstood by his club's staff and was losing confidence. We stepped in, translated his needs in a way the organisation could hear, and helped re establish mutual respect, preserving both his wellbeing and career path.
Off-Field Planning:
When a prop from South Auckland suffered a major injury, we didn't disappear. We helped him explore study options, connected him with a mental skills coach, and planned for post career opportunities, so he didn’t feel like football was his only identity.
Player first means being more than an agent, it means being a partner in our players’ lives. We build trust, stand up for their needs, and help them thrive as athletes and people.
Māori Values in Action
At Mantis Management, Māori values like whanaungatanga (kinship) and manaakitanga (care) guide everything we do. We treat our athletes like whānau, supporting them on and off the field, involving their families, and creating safe, culturally grounded spaces. Our player first approach is deeply rooted in tikanga Māori, helping athletes stay connected to their identity while building strong futures in sport and life.
Our Vision for the Future
Mantis Management aims to reshape the sports landscape in Aotearoa by creating pathways for Māori and underrepresented athletes to thrive. Our vision is to be a leading voice in athlete advocacy, supporting long term success, cultural identity, and wellbeing. As we grow, we’re committed to building global opportunities while staying rooted in our kaupapa.