Tuia Te Tangata - The Binding of People
Hurricanes 2017 captain Dane Coles has presented The British & Irish Lions captain Sam Warburton with a feathered Maori cloak, or Korowai, to commemorate the inaugural match between the two teams and to honour the Lions tradition.
The Korowai was made by local Maori artists in Horowhenua, in the heart of the Hurricanes region, on behalf of the Manawhenua and Te Atiawa iwi (tribe) and is named Tuia Te Tangata, meaning The Binding of People.
Tuia Te Tangata represents the weaving together of the communities, cultures and languages of the Hurricanes family with those of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
The cloak was blessed by Wayne Tamerangi Mulligan, the chair of Te Atiawa - Taranaki Whanui ki te upoko o te Ika - and named in consultation with the iwi's leadership.
Mr Mulligan said the iwi were honoured to have been asked to provide a taonga for the Lions and their supporters both in New Zealand and around the world.
"The Korowai, its name, and the narrative provide both physical and spiritual connection between the Hurricanes communities and those from the British Isles.
"It is a koha [gift] that embraces and provides warmth to all our honoured guests as the stay in Te Whanganui a Tara - Wellington."
Coles said the Korowai was a fitting way of both marking his team's respect for their opposition as well as well as laying down the challenge that would play out during the match.
"As Hurricanes players we hold The British & Irish Lions in the highest regard and I know the occasion will be a career highlight that stays with us for a long time.
"The Korowai will ensure there is a lasting reminder that binds the two teams together forever."
The Tuia Te Tangata narrative is as follows
The Hurricanes are the people of the four winds - Nga Hau e Wha. We have been brought here by the winds of the North, the East, the West and the South.
The Tuia Te Tangata is a symbol of the weaving together of the communities, cultures and languages of the Hurricanes whanau (family). The Tuia Te Tangata binds the many people of Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England, with the Hurricanes whanau, collectively as one. We are bound together by the sport of Rugby and its many traditions.
You have travelled to play us at our home Te Whanganui a Tara - Wellington. We will battle you for eighty minutes on the field today, but we will honour you forever.
Our team, the Hurricanes supporters and whanau, honour you, the British & Irish Lions and your supporters. We cloak you today with Tuia Te Tangata - The Binding of People.