Peter Addai Junior Lakai is a New Zealand rugby union player for the Hurricanes. He plays across the loose-forward positions, including flanker and number 8.
Born on 4 March 2003, Lakai is 23 years old as of 2026. He was born in Auckland before moving to Wellington as a child.
Lakai has already reached the international stage with the All Blacks, and his rise carries a powerful family story. He is of Ghanaian descent through his father and Tongan descent through his mother. His mother, Saline, raised him as a single parent.
Meanwhile, Lakai has established himself as an important Hurricanes loose forward. The club has secured his services through at least the end of 2027.
Peter Lakai profile and fact check
Full name: Peter Addai Junior Lakai
Date of birth: 4 March 2003
Age: 23
Birthplace: Auckland, New Zealand
Nationality: New Zealander
Ethnicity: Ghanaian and Tongan heritage
Position: Loose forward, flanker and No. 8
Current club: Hurricanes
Provincial team: Wellington
Height: 1.86m
Weight: Around 108–109kg
School: St Patrick’s College, Silverstream
Mother: Saline
Father: Name not publicly confirmed
Brother: Elijah Lakai
Partner: Girlfriend, name not publicly confirmed
Early life and age
Lakai was born in Auckland before his family moved to Wellington. He eventually grew up in Taita, north of Wellington.
There, rugby became an important part of his childhood. He played junior rugby for Stokes Valley and Avalon.
His older brother, Elijah Lakai, also played rugby for Avalon. That connection gave Peter a strong link with local rugby.
Lakai attended St Patrick’s College, Silverstream. His performances there quickly attracted attention from representative selectors.
In 2017, he was already on the radar for selection as a representative. He later became part of a highly successful Silverstream Under-15 team.
That team went unbeaten during its remarkable 2017 campaign. It finished 18-0 and won the Wellington and Hurricanes secondary schools titles.
Lakai was also named the MVP of the Hurricanes secondary schools series. His performances eventually opened the door to the Hurricanes’ development pathway.
The young forward continued developing his physicality and ball-carrying ability. He also learned to operate effectively across different loose-forward roles. That versatility later became one of his biggest strengths.
Professional career
Lakai’s professional rise happened remarkably quickly. He joined the Wellington Lions squad in 2021 as an 18-year-old and made his provincial debut against Southland in Porirua that year.
His performances soon earned him greater opportunities. In 2022, Lakai joined the Hurricanes through a national development contract. The programme helped him prepare for professional rugby.
He also made a significant impact on Wellington during the NPC season.
The young forward scored a hat-trick against South Canterbury. That performance made him only the 20th player to achieve the feat in an NPC match.
His rapid progress continued with selection for the New Zealand Under-20 team.
New Zealand Under-20
Lakai represented New Zealand at the Under-20 level in 2022 and 2023. The 2022 group included several players such as Wallace Sititi, Noah Hotham and Fabian Holland who later progressed to international rugby. Lakai was part of the team that won the Oceania Under-20 Championship.
He last returned to the Under-20 side in 2023. That year, Lakai became co-captain at the Under-20 World Championship in South Africa. The leadership role demonstrated the confidence coaches had in him.
He also received the New Zealand Rugby Age-Grade Player of the Year award in 2022.
Hurricanes career
Lakai made his Hurricanes Super Rugby debut in 2023 against the Reds. However, his 2024 campaign proved particularly important as he became a regular member of the Hurricanes’ back row. His performances earned him recognition as one of the club’s Players of the Year.
The Hurricanes then rewarded his progress with a new contract. In June 2024, the club confirmed Lakai had re-signed through the end of 2027.
Lakai explained that Wellington had become home after moving there as a child.
He also spoke about growing up a Hurricanes fan. Therefore, representing the club carried special meaning for him.
All Blacks breakthrough
Lakai’s international breakthrough arrived in 2024, and he made his All Blacks debut against Japan in Yokohama on 26 October 2024. He entered the match from the bench during New Zealand’s 64-19 victory.
He subsequently continued pushing for international opportunities.
In September 2025, Lakai made his first All Blacks Test start, starting at number 8 against Australia in the Bledisloe Cup. That progression highlighted how quickly he had moved through New Zealand’s rugby system.
His athleticism, power and versatility have become important features of his game. The All Blacks describe him as a dynamic loose forward with strong rugby intelligence.
Family and Ghanaian-Tongan heritage
Family remains an important part of Lakai’s story. His father has Ghanaian heritage, while his mother is of Tongan descent. That gives Lakai a distinctive cultural identity within New Zealand rugby.
His mother, Saline, played a particularly important role in his upbringing. She raised Peter as a single mother.
That family background adds another layer to Lakai’s rugby journey. His older brother, Elijah Lakai, also played rugby for Avalon, where Peter also began his junior rugby journey. The brothers, therefore, share a strong connection with the Wellington rugby community.
Lakai’s rise also reflects the support he received during his development years. His pathway moved from local junior rugby to Silverstream and then Wellington.
Eventually, that journey took him to the Hurricanes and the All Blacks.
Who is Peter Lakai’s partner?
Lakai has a girlfriend, although her name has not been publicly confirmed. The couple occasionally appears together through Lakai’s social media activity. They have also been seen enjoying holidays and other occasions together.
His girlfriend has supported him by attending matches and watching his rugby career develop. However, Lakai has generally kept this part of his personal life private.
Peter Lakai’s salary and net worth
Lakai’s exact salary has not been publicly disclosed. His Hurricanes contract is confirmed through the end of the 2027 season. However, the club has not publicly released his individual contract value.
What makes Peter Lakai’s story interesting?
Lakai’s journey is about more than his rise into professional rugby.
He grew up in Taita after being born in Auckland. His mother raised him as a single parent.
He developed through local rugby before earning opportunities with Wellington and the Hurricanes.
Then he represented New Zealand at the Under-20 level before making it to the All Blacks.
His Ghanaian and Tongan heritage also adds another important dimension to his story.
At only 23, Lakai has already built a career spanning provincial, Super Rugby and international rugby.
His Hurricanes contract through 2027 gives him a stable platform for the next stage.
For now, his story remains one of steady progression rather than overnight success.
That makes Peter Lakai one of the more interesting young loose forwards to follow in New Zealand rugby.