Biography
Born on 1 May 2002 in Gisborne, Kaipo Olsen-Baker grew up on the East Coast of New Zealand with rugby and sport woven into everyday life. Her roots stretch back to Rangitukia, north of Tikitiki, before her family later settled in Gisborne.
Life wasn’t easy. Kaipo lost her father when she was just one year old, and her mother Gabrielle — herself a former netballer — later faced both partial paralysis and the loss of another partner. Through it all, resilience became second nature.
Originally a footballer and basketball point guard, Olsen-Baker even earned a trial with the New Zealand Tall Ferns at just 15. When that dream stalled, rugby came calling — and once she committed, there was no stopping her. After completing her schooling at Manakura, an elite Māori sporting school in Palmerston North, Kaipo’s rugby engine roared into life.
List of Teams Played For
- Manawatu / Manawatū Cyclones (2019–2023)
- Hurricanes Poua (2022–2025)
- Matatū (2024–2025)
- New Zealand – Black Ferns (2022– )
Rugby World Cups Played
- 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup (England) – Bronze medal (Team competition)
Key Career Moments
Kaipo Olsen-Baker made her senior provincial debut for the Manawatū Cyclones in the Farah Palmer Cup on 21 September 2019, while still at school — a sign of what was coming.
Her Black Ferns test debut arrived on 5 June 2022 against Australia in Tauranga. Played in torrential rain, she announced herself in style with a 20-metre runaway try, earning Player of the Match honours in a 23–10 win.
In 2023, after returning from a long injury layoff, she produced one of the most dominant individual Farah Palmer Cup campaigns on record — leading the competition in carries (113), defenders beaten (69), and offloads (26). That powerhouse season earned her a Farah Palmer Cup Player of the Year nomination.
Her 2025 World Cup story was pure drama. After suffering a suspected ankle fracture in the opening match against Spain, her tournament looked over. Instead, she stormed back for the quarter-final against South Africa, scoring two tries, making 26 tackles, and earning Player of the Match in one of the great comeback performances.
Personal Life
Sport runs deep in the family. Her father played rugby for the Pirates and Horouta clubs, while her mother competed in netball across Gisborne and the East Coast.
Before rugby took centre stage, Kaipo played football alongside future Black Ferns Renee Holmes and Kelsey Teneti. She was introduced to rugby by former Black Fern Trish Hina, but her all-round sporting background still shapes her dynamic, high-skill style today.