MIT gifts korowai to Blues Rugby

A korowai created by Whaea Ruth Norman (ONZM) has been blessed and gifted to Blues Rugby by Manukau Institute of Technology to symbolise the strength and importance of our partnership.

In late 2021, MIT and Blues Rugby renewed their sponsorship agreement teaming up to use sport to unlock the potential of our community by creating better futures through education.

The korowai, which is named Kotahitanga, was brought onto Ngā Kete Wānanga Marae earlier last week by Ruth and her whānau, along with Whaea Helen Rawiri, Chief Executive of Blues Rugby Andrew Hore, Assistant Coach Ben Afeaki, as well as a series of players from the team.

Alongside her dedication to local government, Ruth is an active member of Whiri Aroha, a group of individuals committed to nurturing the craft of korowai making. She explains the intricate details of Kotahitanga.

“The korowai is made from cotton, feathers, and of course the harakeke that has been signed by each member of The Blues. I've melded the board, team members, doctors and coaches together with a plait and I began by using niho taniwha which is the strength and determination of the team.

Moving across into the Mangōpare design, which is the hammerhead shark – that has been designed for stability, leadership and unity of the team. The Poutama (pattern) is looking at the whakapapa and represents the different cultures that come together within The Blues.

In the centre of the korowai is the Pikorua, which allows the transition of knowledge and information from the board between the players and any other members of The Blues. The Mawhitiwhiti diamond pattern is designed to celebrate the abundance of information, knowledge and wisdom within the team.

Coming down through the plait, we've got the feathers that are here to keep the messages from the team members warm and obviously, plaited on the back there to again, continue that theme of unity Kotahitanga

I've also used the three baskets of knowledge - in this instance, they are designed to represent the knowledge that is transmitted through each of the members of The Blues. Knowledge about themselves, about the skills that they're learning, the work that they're doing.

So throughout, we are seeing a representation of the knowing, understanding, and the carrying out the wisdom of that information.”

The development of the korowai has been a special process for Assistant Coach Ben Afeaki, with each player writing down their ‘why’ on each harakeke leaf.

“Many of our players have written ‘family’, things that motivate them and what they can draw strength from when they need any preparations,” he says. “In the journey ahead for us, we will draw strength from the korowai.

“We are a multicultural team, probably one of the most multicultural teams in the world – we all come from different walks of life and have had different upbringings. So, in a way, this is for them to all to connect and find out a little bit more about each other.”

Blues Rugby came to MIT with the concept of the korowai, which MIT Deputy Chief Executive – Māori, Dr Wiremu Manaia describes as a brilliant idea.

“The concept of a korowai is a protection symbol, and in the past, that was something that was associated with chiefs. Only a chief would wear a korowai in the old days - you would recognise them as a mantle of respect, but you had to earn it,” says Dr Manaia. “We see a lot of korowai at graduations because it's an achievement. With this korowai, there's a symbol of unity for them, but that unity brings them together for achievement.”

The team plays its next game of the Super Rugby Pacific competition on Saturday 5 March against the Chiefs.