The New Zealand Squash Open will commence tomorrow, November 8.

Hosted at Tauranga's Trustpower Arena, the NZ Open is the first co-sanctioned PSA (Professional Squash Association) squash tournament to be held in Aotearoa since 1993.

Mana Whenua, Ngā Pōtiki, will be welcoming the international players with a pōhiri at Tahuwhakatiki Marae, Tauranga.

"The players will be led by Raniera Albert of Ngāi Tūhoe, Ngāti Porou and Te Whānau a Apanui, Joelle King of Ngāti Porou, and Paul Coll of Greymouth," says an event spokesperson.

King, Ngāti Porou, who is ranked as world number five, and Coll, who is ranked as world number two, will lead the NZ Open. Both New Zealand players are doubles and mixed gold medal winners at Birmingham Commonwealth Games and men's singles and mixed champions.

"There are 20 different nationalities represented in the tournament draws from as far away as Scotland, Canada, Colombia, Argentina, Egypt and Japan among others.

"The NZ Open will incorporate te ao Māori through Toi Māori (Māori art) truly representing Tauranga Moana.

"Local artist, Stu McDonald has provided a Māori design that combines Pūhoro and Mangopare - representing the strong tides of the Moana, alongside the strength and resilience of the Mangopare (shark)."

The NZ Open runs from Tuesday, November 8 until the finals on Sunday afternoon November 13 at the Trustpower Arena in Tauranga.