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Scoop
2 days ago
- Sport
- Scoop
NZ Olympic Team Honour Pounamu Journey With Inaugural Winter Wānanga
The New Zealand Team in collaboration with Ngāi Tahu Pounamu, has completed its first-ever Winter Wānanga in Māwhera (Greymouth) to strengthen the connection between New Zealand Team athletes, Paralympic athletes and Poutini Ngāi Tahu, the true kaitiaki (guardians) of pounamu. For the past 20 years, each Olympic and Paralympic team member has been gifted a pounamu pendant carved by Ngāi Tahu Pounamu, to help unite and inspire athletes while competing for their country. Five NZ Team Olympic athletes and one Paralympic athlete to Milano Cortina attended the wānanga alongside Chefs de Mission Marty Toomey and Jane Stevens. The two-day cultural immersion was created to give athletes and staff a deeper cultural understanding and connection to Poutini Ngāi Tahu, pounamu, and te ao Māori, through shared learning, reflection, and whakawhanaungatanga. The Winter Wānanga marked a significant milestone in the New Zealand Team's ongoing commitment to upholding a team culture of manaaki with a programme centred around three themes - People, Place, and Pounamu. Athletes were immersed in the whakapapa of pounamu, including the creation, artistry, sustainability and its significance as a taonga shared across Olympic and Paralympic campaigns. Olympic gold medallist Zoi Sadowski-Synnott said she felt incredibly grateful for the opportunity to learn more about the meaning and history of pounamu. 'The pounamu we receive at the Games is incredibly special, but having this experience gives us a deeper understanding of what it truly represents,' she said. 'This is the first time I've ever been a part of something like this, and it's really special to have been welcomed so warmly, with Poutini Ngāi Tahu sharing their history, culture and family with us.' Ngāi Tahu Operations Manager Chantal Tumahi says it was a full circle moment to host the inaugural wānanga, marking the first time athletes have had input into the design of the pendants that will be made for the Milano Cortina Winter Games. 'Pounamu connects the wearer to whenua (place), whānau (people) and whakapapa (ancestry). When gifted to our Olympic athletes pounamu becomes a powerful symbol of connection - grounding them in Aotearoa, reminding them of where they come from and linking them to one another. 'All pendants gifted to NZ Team and Paralympic athletes are carved from a single piece of Pounamu. This shared origin unites every New Zealand Olympic and Paralympic athlete, binding them through the mauri (life force) of the stone. When one athlete wears their pounamu they carry with them the strength, support, and presence of every other athlete – a permanent bond forged through the enduring nature of pounamu.' Pounamu is a cornerstone of Te Kapa o Aotearoa, the New Zealand Team. It is a prized taonga that has become a symbol of pride, mana, and excellence for all Olympic and Paralympic athletes of Aotearoa New Zealand. Pounamu holds deep spiritual and cultural significance to Ngāi Tahu. The taonga is a powerful representation of identity, ancestry and connection to people and place. As kaitiaki of all pounamu within their takiwā (territory) Poutini Ngāi Tahu have a deep responsibility to protect and preserve the mana of the stone. Pounamu plays a vital role in maintaining traditions, upholding cultural practices and supporting the aspirations of Poutini Ngāi Tahu. For the first time since it was presented to the New Zealand Team by Ngāi Tahu Pounamu in 2004, the mauri stone, a symbol of life force and spiritual connection to Aotearoa, returned home to the Arahura river, carrying with it the collective energy, stories and mana of every athlete who has represented our nation on the world stage. 'It was very humbling to return the New Zealand Team mauri stone to its home in Arahura, to replenish the mauri of the stone and strengthen the relationship of NZOC and Poutini Ngāi Tahu as kaitiaki of the stone,' said Nicki Nicol, CEO of the NZOC. The Winter Wānanga marked a meaningful step in the New Zealand Team's cultural journey, deepening athletes' connection to pounamu and home.
RNZ News
29-06-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Liti and Patolo named flagbearers for the NZ team at Pacific Mini Games
Flagbearers for the New Zealand team at the 2025 Pacific Mini Games David Liti and Tui-Alofa Patolo Photo: NZ Team Weightlifters David Liti and Tui-Alofa Patolo have been named flagbearers for the New Zealand team at the Pacific Mini Games in Palau. The pair are part of a nine-strong New Zealand team made up exclusively of weightlifters, which will compete at the Games over the next 11 days. Liti, who won a gold medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast and a silver four years later in Birmingham, has experience as flagbearer having done the job at the Pacific Games in 2019 and 2023. "It's like being the captain of the 1st XV or the prime minister of New Zealand… you're the team leader at these events. I'm super proud and super pumped - it's one of the best feelings," he said. Liti admitted it felt a bit "weird" being seen as a senior member of the team, despite his young years. "I feel like a veteran - I'm 28 at the moment but feel like I'm 50." Liti, who will compete in the men's +110kg category, said his motivation to compete in the black singlet has never been stronger. "I still feel like just another athlete in the team. I'm always happy to share my knowledge and be there for those just starting out. I hope when we get to Palau, they can trust me and I'm there if they need my help." Patolo will compete in the Women's +86kg category, and is one of five weightlifters making their debut at the Games. She admitted the call-up to carry the flag came as a surprise. "When I got the call, I was shocked, I was not expecting it at all, it's such a huge honour and I'm so grateful. "My coach was telling me to make sure I picked up a call from an unknown number, because usually I would've just ignored it... but I'm glad I picked it up. "I feel like every time I even start to think about it, I'll start crying. I'm just grateful for the opportunity, and to do it alongside someone like David is special as well." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
