Since the annual trans-Tasman basketball showdown between the New Zealand Māori Men's and Australian Indigenous teams got up and running in 2014 wins for the Aotearoa side have been hard to come by.

But they'll be aiming to change that tomorrow and Saturday nights at Queen Elizabeth Youth Centre as the 2018 series reaches decision time.

Matches two and three in the series are being staged in Tauranga, hosted by Te Maru o Mauao ki Tauranga Moana Basketball Club and Māori Basketball NZ, following tonight's opening test in Te Awamutu.

It's the fifth year the two sides have met, and the advantage lies heavily with the West Island. New Zealand Maori took out the first series in 2014, but the three since have all gone the way of the Australians.

All have been close and competitive, resulting in 2-1 wins to the Aussies, and this year's is expected to be no different. The Kiwis can claim some bragging rights, taking the win the last time the teams met by 94-81 in the final game of the 2017 series.

Amongst the New Zealand team roster of experienced NBL and US college players, including Daniel Green, Tom Vodanovich, Dominic Kelman-Poto, and former first class cricketer Tipene Friday, local Te Maru o Mauao and NZ under 18 player Shalom Broughton, of Ngā Rauru, has been selected to play in the Tauranga tests.

The Australian team have received a traditional Māori welcome to New Zealand and Tauranga at Wairoa Marae, and visited Te Whare Kura o Mauao on Tuesday for cultural exchange and sharing basketball drills.

Local Māori schools Te Wharekura o Mauao and Te Kura Kokiri will be taking the chance over the two game nights to raise funds to help get their teams to the 2018 BBNZ Schick Secondary Schools A National Championships in Palmerston North.

The matches tip off at 7pm both nights, and Te Wharekura o Mauao will take on Te Kura Kōkiri Tāne in a curtain-raiser tomorrow night.

The Australians hung out and shared basketball drills with students at Te Whare Kura o Mauao on Tuesday.

The full New Zealand Māori Men's team lineup:

Darryl Jones (Ngati Pikiao)

Dominic Kelman-Poto (Waikato Tainui)

Hyrum Harris (Nga Puhi/Ngati Kahungunu)

Hyrum Hippolite (Ngati Toa)

Randall Bishop (Ngati Toa)

Ross Taurima (Ngati Toa)

Tipene Friday (Ngati Porou)

Daniel Green (Waikato Tainui)

Tom Vodanovich (Ngai Tahu)

Jethro Taylor (Tainui Hauraki)

Mikaere Watene (Te Arawa/Waikato Tainui)

Shalom Broughton (Ngā Rauru)

Details:

Australian Indigenous (All Stars) vs NZ Māori Men

2018 5^th annual trans-Tasman Basketball Series

Queen Elizabeth Youth Centre (Memorial Park)

Friday and Saturday nights, 7pm.

Entry: Gold coin donation.