Darts prodigy Taylor-Marsh Kahaki has been honoured at the Tu Rangatira Awards for her outstanding achievements in sport and her commitment to her Cook Islands heritage.
At just 20 years old, Taylor-Marsh Kahaki is already ranked second in Aotearoa New Zealand in women’s darts, after a remarkable rise through the ranks. She has now taken home a Tu Rangatira award from Te Maeva Nui o Aotearoa New Zealand Charitable Trust, recognising her immense contribution to the sport.
Self-described “fruit salad” Taylor-Marsh has Cook Island heritage, as well as Māori, Niuean, and “probably more, but still searching where I belong and who I am - and it’s been an amazing learning curve”.
The annual Tu Rangatira Awards celebrate Cook Islands excellence, recognising those who have made advances in fields ranging from community service to business and enterprise.
Taylor-Marsh won the youth category, which is proudly sponsored by the Ministry for Pacific Peoples as part of its commitment to uplifting Pacific youth and celebrating cultural identity. The category honours a young Cook Islander who “demonstrates leadership, cultural pride, and excellence in any area of life”, and promotes Cook Islands culture and values in their actions.
This sponsorship reflects the Ministry’s strategic focus on creating opportunities for Pacific young people to thrive, recognising that with a median age of just 24.9 years, Pacific communities are youthful, vibrant, and full of potential. Supporting awards like Tu Rangatira is one way the Ministry helps amplify the stories of young leaders who inspire others and strengthen cultural pride.
Family footsteps
Darts is a family pursuit for Taylor-Marsh, but her parents were initially sceptical when she became interested in the sport.
“They wanted me playing rugby, touch or netball, because they went through the whole darts thing before I came along.
“But I was watching my older sister playing darts, and I wanted to play as well, just so I could play with her. I was stuck to her like glue,” says Taylor-Marsh.
Taylor-Marsh has proved to be a remarkable talent in the darts world and now ranks number two in New Zealand in the World Darts Federation NZ Women’s table, among other accolades.
She holds the record as the youngest in the country to make a women’s national darts final at just 12 years old, and that same year she was the youngest female participant in the senior women’s competition at the World Darts Cup in Japan.
Family is central to Taylor-Marsh’s journey. She says her proudest achievement was to win three “special and meaningful” events in one year in 2023. With her sister Maria Siavale she won the women’s pairs at both the Aotearoa Māori Darts tournament and the New Zealand seniors nationals and was the first winner of a family tournament in memorial of her nana, Losa Malaki.
The memory of her nana continues to be a source of inspiration, with Taylor-Marsh saying, “even though she has passed she is still someone I hold dearest to my heart”.
“Every time I win something or get named for something, it never sinks in till I see my nana,” she adds.
Go beyond the sky
“Word cannot express” how Taylor-Marsh feels to have won the award, and she credits the other nominees in her category as strong competition.
“I didn’t know if I’d win as I was in a category with some amazing youth doing their part to show our younger ones that there is more out there,” she says.
“I’m just grateful and appreciative not only to win this award, but even to be considered.”
Taylor-Marsh urges other young people to dream big and pursue their passions.
“Never give up. When they say sky is the limit, go beyond it – the sky is endless, just like your dreams and aspirations.”