Canberra Raiders Captain | NRLW Leader
Zahara Temara is a composed and reliable playmaker for the Canberra Raiders, recognised for her ability to organise the team and manage the game in key moments. Operating across five-eighth and halfback, she brings control and confidence to every performance, consistently influencing how her side builds and executes under pressure.
Born in Rotorua, New Zealand, Temara moved to the Gold Coast at age 11, where her rugby league journey began to take shape. Developing through Keebra Park State High School and the Nerang Roosters, she progressed through strong foundational pathways that prepared her for the demands of elite rugby league.
Junior Club: Nerang Roosters
Club: Canberra Raiders
Position: Five-eighth / Halfback
Career Highlights and Achievements
- 2018 KARI Foundation NRLW Player of the Year
- 2023 Māori All Stars Captain
- 2023 Canberra Raiders Fans’ Choice Back of the Year
- 2024 NRLW Five-eighth of the Year
- 2024 Dally M Team of the Year
Temara made an immediate impression at the highest level in 2017, earning selection for both the Australian Jillaroos and Queensland State of Origin. Since then, she has remained a consistent figure in elite rugby league, known for her composure, communication and ability to guide her team in high pressure moments. Her recent form has seen her recognised among the game’s best, highlighted by her 2024 NRLW Five-eighth of the Year honour and selection in the Dally M Team of the Year, reflecting both her individual performance and her impact on team success.
Off the field, Temara balances elite sport with a career as a Marketing and Creative Assistant, demonstrating discipline and adaptability across multiple environments. She remains deeply connected to her community and heritage, proudly representing her Māori culture while also competing on the international stage for Australia. As the eldest of three, including fellow NRLW player Chante Temara, leadership has long been embedded in her life and continues to shape her approach both on and off the field.
With experience across State of Origin, international rugby league and the NRLW, Temara remains a central figure in the competition, driving standards, leading from the front and contributing to the continued growth of women’s rugby league.
Cherine Fahd, The Captains [Zahara and a Family Snapshot], 2026, black-and-white digital image, commissioned by Harvey Norman in partnership with the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, 2026