Courtney Tairi

Courtney Tairi is a former international netball player who represented the New Zealand Silver Ferns, Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic, Southern Steel, Northern Stars, and the New South Wales Swifts. After hanging up her bib in 2017, her broadcasting, presenting and commentating career flourished.

It was a natural progression from mid-court player to side-court reporter for the Australian-born Kiwi, whose journey to the Silver Ferns was unique. Courtney and her two sisters were raised in Sydney by a Pākehā mother and a father of Tainui, Ngāti Korokī Kahukura descent. Immersed in her Māori heritage, she has always proudly referred to herself as a Kiwi.

Since stepping into media, Courtney has built a strong presence across television and digital platforms. Courtney has ten years of broadcasting experience at SKy Sport where she hosted, presented and commentated across a variety of sports including netball, rugby league, UFC, rugby and major international sporting events including World Cups, Commonwealth Games, the Olympics and much more. She is now the founder of Cocomedia HQ, hosts Sharpen Up, and has fronted Marae TV, The Court and Coffee Show, and Māori.Ora, where she shares her personal running journey to inspire others. One of the highlights of her career remains interviewing Serena Williams at the 2020 ASB Classic, alongside her experience covering the Olympics, which deepened her commitment to encouraging young athletes to follow their sporting dreams.

Loyal, hardworking and passionate, Courtney believes it’s important to remember where she came from and who supported her journey. She travels to Australia as often as possible to spend time with family; happiest when surrounded by whānau at BBQs or beach days. In her downtime, you’ll find her in the gym, at a pilates class, or indulging her foodie side at local cafés.

As the saying goes, “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity,” and that perfectly sums up former Silver Fern and broadcaster Courtney Tairi’s career path to date.