Mika Vukona
July 23, 2020
Paora Winitana
- Nationality: AUS/NZL
- Date of Birth: 6/12/76
- Place of Birth: Hastings (New Zealand)
- Position: G/F
- Height (CM): 195
- Weight (KG): 98
- Junior Assoc: NZ
- College: None
- NBL DEBUT: 10/01/03
- AGE AT DEBUT: 26
- LAST NBL GAME: 19/02/09
- AGE AT LAST GAME: 32
- NBL History: New Zealand 2004, 2008 | Adelaide 2009
- Championships: 0
- None
BIO: Paul Ramiha “Pāora” Winitana played the majority of his career in the New Zealand National Basketball League (NZNBL) for the Hawke’s Bay Hawks.
He was ordained as a Mormon bishop in 2005 and chooses not to play basketball on Sundays.
Winitana was born in Hastings (NZ) and attended Hastings Boys’ High School and played for the school’s A1 team in 1994 where he scored a New Zealand secondary school record for points scored in a single game against Central Hawke’s Bay where he scored 96 points.
In 1995, he attended the Church College of New Zealand and helped his team defeat Palmerston North Boys High in the National secondary school boys final.
He was selected to the all-tournament team, and was chosen to play as one of the top ten high school players in the country against the country’s top ten second division players; his team lost the match but he was awarded the game MVP.
NBL EXPERIENCE
Paora Winitana made his NBL debut with the New Zealand Breakers at 26 years of age. He scored two points in his first game.
In March 2003, Three Waikato businessmen, Michael Redman, Dallas Fisher and Keith Ward, acquired a NBL licence for a team based in New Zealand. The inaugural Breakers roster was built from the core playing group of New Zealand’s national team, which had finished in fourth place at the FIBA World Championships six months prior.
Phill Jones, who had been the ‘Tall Blacks’ leading scorer (18.2 ppg) at the World Champs, Winitana, Paul Henare, Dillon Boucher, and Pero Cameron (who was named team captain) formed the Breakers’ local core. The roster was then filled out with up and coming New Zealand talent like Aaron Olsen and Lindsey Tait and some Australian NBL veterans like Ben Melmeth and Brad Williams to add leadership. Lastly, Casey Frank, a long-time import in the New Zealand national league, was signed as the team’s second import.
Jeff Green was implemented as the team’s first coach and, despite the Breakers being picked by many to finish dead last, they pulled out a win in their very first NBL game against Adelaide (111-110).
After initial success, the Breakers went on to lose ten of their next eleven games (proving the pundits right) to languish near the bottom of the NBL ladder for the remainder of the season.
Twelve games into the season (2-10), Green was fired and succeeded by the team’s assistant coach Frank Arsego, who had also headed up the basketball program at the Australian Institute of Sport for the past five years. Arsego would then bring in Mike Chappell (22.7 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.7 assists), who finished top five in the league in both points and three-point shooting while playing in Canberra the season before. Both Casey Frank and Brad Williams would be released to make way for Chappell, who went on to lead the team in scoring and named Breakers club MVP.
Chappell’s presence delivered a mid-season resurgence where a five game winning streak towards the end of the season gave the Breakers a realistic shot of qualifying for the playoffs. Needing to win both of their final games in the final round to claim a playoff berth, the Breakers instead went winless and finished in tenth place (12–21).
Winitana averaged 4.4 points, 2 rebounds, and 0.7 assists alongside teammates Jones (13.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.1 steals) and Ben Melmeth (13.4 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 2.2 assists) who were the best among the team’s local talent.
Winitana would see action in 31 games, averaging 4.4 points, 2 rebounds, and 0.7 assists.
2007/08
Winitana played overseas for the follow four seasons, before returning for a second stint with the Breakers. During the 2007/08 season, Winitana averaged 3.0 points, 1.0 rebounds, and 0.5 assists across 26 games and was a part of the Breakers squad which finished in seventh place (16-14).
ADELAIDE 36ERS
2008/09
In 2008/09, Winitana averaged 2.9 points and 1.6 rebounds, and 1.2 assists, and helped guide the 36ers to a fifth place finish in the regular season with a 15-15 record.
Paora Winitana played three seasons in the NBL, playing for both the Adelaide 36ers and the New Zealand Breakers. He averaged 3.6 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 0.7 assists in 74 NBL games.
NBL TOTAL STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008-09 | 32 | Adelaide | 15-15 (6) | 17 | 224 | 50 | 27 | 20 | 9 | 18 | 5 | 2 | 16 | 12 | 22 | 57 | 39% | 5 | 19 | 26% | 1 | 4 | 25% | 42% | 43% | 14 |
| 2007-08 | 31 | New Zealand | 16-14 (7) | 26 | 231 | 79 | 26 | 13 | 7 | 19 | 3 | 0 | 10 | 22 | 25 | 63 | 40% | 11 | 32 | 34% | 18 | 25 | 72% | 53% | 48% | 14 |
| 2003-04 | 27 | New Zealand | 12-21 (10) | 31 | 403 | 135 | 61 | 22 | 29 | 32 | 14 | 2 | 28 | 31 | 47 | 134 | 35% | 7 | 31 | 23% | 34 | 44 | 77% | 44% | 38% | 12 | Totals | 74 | 858 | 264 | 114 | 55 | 45 | 69 | 22 | 4 | 54 | 65 | 94 | 254 | 37.0% | 23 | 82 | 28.0% | 53 | 73 | 72.6% | 46% | 42% | 14 |
NBL PER GAME STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008-09 | 32 | Adelaide | 15-15 (6) | 17 | 13.2 | 2.9 | 1.6 | 1.2 | 0.5 | 1.1 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.9 | 0.7 | 1.3 | 3.4 | 39% | 0.3 | 1.1 | 26% | 0.1 | 0.2 | 25% | 42% | 43% | 14 |
| 2007-08 | 31 | New Zealand | 16-14 (7) | 26 | 8.9 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.4 | 0.8 | 1.0 | 2.4 | 40% | 0.4 | 1.2 | 34% | 0.7 | 1.0 | 72% | 53% | 48% | 14 |
| 2003-04 | 27 | New Zealand | 12-21 (10) | 31 | 13.0 | 4.4 | 2.0 | 0.7 | 0.9 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 0.9 | 1.0 | 1.5 | 4.3 | 35% | 0.2 | 1.0 | 23% | 1.1 | 1.4 | 77% | 44% | 38% | 12 | Total | 74 | 11.6 | 3.6 | 1.5 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.7 | 0.9 | 1.3 | 3.4 | 37.0% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 28.0% | 0.3 | 1.1 | 72.6% | 46% | 42% | 14 |
CAREER HIGHS
| POINTS | REBOUNDS | ASSISTS | STEALS | BLOCKS | TURNOVERS | TRIPLE DOUBLES | 14 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
|---|
FIBA EXPERIENCE
Winitana was a part of Tall Black team that not only defeated Australia to earn a spot at the 2002 FIBA World Championships, but went on to reach the bronze medal game. There, New Zealand would fall to Dirk Nowitzki led German team (94-117) to finish fourth, the countries highest finish ever at a major FIBA tournament.
Winitana remained a part of the national program for the 2004 Olympic games. There, Tall Blacks failed to win a game in their opening pool, resulting in them facing Australia in a crossover game to determine FIBA rankings. New Zealand then lost to Australia, 98-80, in the classification matches to finish in tenth place.
Winitana was also a part of the Tall Blacks squad that competed at the 2006 FIBA World Championships (Japan). There, New Zealand (2–4) made it to the second round before being eliminated by Argentina (62-79). They finished the tournament tied for ninth place.
FIBA TOTAL STATISTICS
| YEAR | AGE | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 30 | 4 | 24 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 40.0% | 0 | 2 | 0.0% | 2 | 2 | 100.0% |
| 2004 | 28 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% | 0 | 0 | 0.0% | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| 2002 | 26 | 3 | 12 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0.0% | 0 | 0 | 0.0% | 0 | 0 | 0.0% | Total | 8 | 39 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 10 | 20% | 0 | 2 | 0% | 2 | 2 | 100% |
FIBA PER GAME STATISTICS
| YEAR | AGE | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 30 | 4 | 6.0 | 1.5 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 1.3 | 40.0% | 0.0 | 0.5 | 0.0% | 0.5 | 0.5 | 100.0% |
| 2004 | 28 | 1 | 3.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0% |
| 2002 | 26 | 3 | 4.0 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 1.7 | 0.0% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0% | Total | 8 | 4.9 | 0.8 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 1.3 | 20% | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0% | 0.3 | 0.3 | 100% |
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
- New Zealand - North Harbour Vikings (1996–1998), North Harbour Kings (2001), Hawkes Bay Hawks (2001, 2003–2008, 2011–2016), Harbour Kings (2002), Christchurch Cougars (2009–2010)
Paora Winitana joined the North Harbour Vikings for the 1996 New Zealand NBL season, beginning his first top-division stint in New Zealand, and he was named the league’s Rookie of the Year that year while playing for the North Harbour franchise through the 1998 season.
Winitana returned to the North Harbour Kings in 2001 and also suited up for the Hawkes Bay Hawks during the same 2001 New Zealand NBL season before moving to the Harbour Kings for the 2002 campaign.
He re-joined the Hawkes Bay Hawks for the 2003 New Zealand NBL season and remained with the club through 2008, highlighted by the 2006 season when he helped the Hawks win the New Zealand NBL championship and was named league MVP, with that year also marking an All-Star Five selection.
Winitana moved to the Christchurch Cougars for the 2009 and 2010 New Zealand NBL seasons before returning to the Hawkes Bay Hawks in 2011 to start his final multi-year run with the franchise.
Winitana joined the Hawkes Bay Hawks for the 2012 New Zealand NBL season and averaged 18.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 3.1 assists across 15 games while playing 31.7 minutes per contest, shooting 48.1% from the field and 82.3% at the foul line, and he shared the 2012 New Zealand Most Valuable Player honour while playing alongside teammates Everard Bartlett and Kareem Johnson in the Hawks rotation.
In 2013, Winitana remained with the Hawks and averaged 14.8 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.4 assists across 14 games.
Winitana continued with Hawkes Bay in 2014 and averaged 11.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in 16 games for the Hawks.
In 2015, Winitana averaged 13.0 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.9 assists in 10 games for Hawkes Bay, and during that season he was appointed head coach after the club made a coaching change, adding an on-court leadership role to his long-running stint with the franchise.
Winitana returned for the 2016 New Zealand NBL season with Hawkes Bay and averaged 10.3 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.8 assists across 12 games to close out his playing career in the league.
AWARDS
- NZNBL MVP (2006)
COACHING HISTORY
Paora Winitana moved into basketball coaching following his professional playing career.
In 2020, Winitana joined American Heritage School in Utah to coach basketball and became Director of Basketball Operations and Director of Coach Development.
Winitana has coached both the boys and girls varsity basketball teams and remained Head Coach for the 2026/27 school year.
Related
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