New Zealand's unique sporting culture and identity
Whaia te iti kahurangi - Unlimited potential
By Dallas Seymour
The Black Jersey, starkly adorned with one of the most recognisable emblems in world sport that defines us as a nation and commands enormous respect worldwide - the Silver Fern, the wheki-ponga…
The symbol of Aotearoa-New Zealand and sporting excellence is displayed proudly on the chests of those who have earned this right and borne just as proudly by the multitudes of Kiwis living off-shore. Whatever the arena, wherever we are, this burns deeply inside all Kiwis and calls us to action.
This is borne out by the thoughts of Gareth Edwards, a Welsh rugby legend, on the Black Jersey: "All Black - the very name sends a shiver up your spine. There's something about the blackness of the All Blacks jersey which sends a shudder through your heart..."
The origins of our national colours
What are the origins of this symbol that defines us? A rugby player by the name of Tom Ellison (Ngai Tahu, Ngati Mamoe, Ngati Moehau) played a central role on the Native Team tour of Great Britain in 1888/89. In 1893, at the first Annual General Meeting of the New Zealand Rugby Football Union, Tom Ellison proposed that the colours of the national team be a 'black jersey with silver fern monogram, black cap and stockings and white knickerbockers'1 . In 1901 the decision was made to have the whole uniform in black, and it remains so to this day for all sports.
Unlimited potential
Black, pango, ko te Po - all these references symbolise unlimited potential in Maori culture and in a lot of ways, represent the passion of New Zealanders for discovering new horizons and pushing the boundaries.
He korowai
'Ponga ra'! The Silver Fern is a powerful symbol, uniting us as one nation. It represents nurturing, sheltering and development, from the smallest plants to the giant trees of Tane. It is a korowai, a cloak to nurture us on our journey, and we show this same support for our heroes, friends and neighbours wherever we may be.
The roots of the wheki-ponga
Interestingly, the roots of ponga look very similar to bones - maybe a reason for the powerful emotions we experience when donning a black jersey and the feeling of invincibility we have when wearing it. We have our ancestors on our chest and we all wear the black jersey, both old and young.
Seeking the edge
Sport represents these notions everyday as our sporting heroes strive to seek out innovation; that edge that will take them to the top. In doing so they not only satisfy their hunger for success, but they bring the rest of the country along for the ride and inspire us to greater achievements.
Sport in Kiwi culture
Sport is inherently a part of Kiwi culture. It is something that has bound our nation in times past and, whatever the changes that are occurring in how sport is organised and played today and in the future, it will always bind us.
It's about the five year old starting out in sport and playing netball, rugby cricket, cycling or athletics for the same club, on the same courts and fields that the greats have played on. There's always an opportunity to mix and mingle with icons of New Zealand sport right in our backyard. There is always access to the stars of the past: from Sandra Edge, Brian Lochore and Murray Halberg through to the stars of today: Sarah Ulmer, Dan Carter and Valerie Vili.
Our connection to the land
We recognise them and they recognise us. We have a unique connection to the land and this has shaped our notions of what and who we are as a nation. We can be on the beach in the morning, on the field after lunch and in the hills in the evening. We are 'four million strong' - our communities have been built on the back of sport through clubs; through knowing that Tana Umaga will be throwing a ball around on the sideline with the local kids in the morning and playing for the Premier side in the afternoon.
Our performances in the club competition this weekend will contribute to the team in their quest for the America's Cup - wearing red socks under our uniform shows our support for our next door neighbour on the boat as the team brings it home!
Whatever the sport, whatever the colours we wear for ourselves, our school, club or province, we wear Black on the inside - embossed with the wheki-ponga - that drives us all to be the best we can be - whaia te iti kahurangi.
We are one with the land.
Reference: 1Dictionary of New Zealand Biography: www.dnzb.govt.nz
Dallas Seymour is a former All Black and currently works at SPARC (Sport & Recreation New Zealand) as Relationship Manager, Maori.
Updated | 15 Jul 2008.
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