Kokiri 19 - Te Puni Kokiri

From the desk of the Minister of Mäori AffairsThe Hon Dr Pita Sharples,Minister of Mäori Affairswith King Tuheitia after theNew Zealand Mäori vs Irelandmatch in Rotorua.E ngä hau e wha, e ngä pito o te ao, tënä koutou katoa.As a child, the big question in my life was: “Do I want tobe an All Black – or a Mäori All Black?” In our eyes, theirstatus was different, but equal, and we were really proudof the role Mäori played in the early national teams.Mäori have made a huge contribution to our nationalsport, from the first touring team to the present day.Not just in the form of individual champions and familydynasties, but in the distinctive open, flowing, creative style of play thatis such a pleasure to watch!The Mäori contribution to rugby starts at the very beginning. In 1892Tamati Rangiwahia Ellison, the first New Zealand rugby captainproposed the black jersey and silver fern as the uniform; this and thehaka are brands worth literally millions of dollars in today’s commercialworld of professional rugby.Mäori Rugby is a sport that I am passionate about, and I am so pleasedthere is a New Zealand Mäori Centenary series of matches.The New Zealand Rugby Union Board and the Mäori Rugby Boarddeveloped the programme to celebrate 100 years of Mäori rugby, andthey deserve our thanks, along with the sponsors of the centenarymatches, Sealord and Aotearoa Fisheries Limited.I am also happy to acknowledge the funding and support fromTe Puni Kökiri to strengthen grass-roots Mäori rugby among youngpeople during this centenary year in particular.The three-match series, against the Barbarians, the Irish and Englishteams kicked off close to the centenary of the first ever match of theofficial New Zealand Mäori team in 1910. Since their debut, the MäoriAll Blacks and New Zealand Mäori sides have played most provincialsides in New Zealand and many national sides, as well as touringoverseas. They have built up a record to be proud of, including victoriesover England, Argentina, Scotland and Fiji, and an historic win over the2005 British and Irish Lions.The Centenary series of matches will be remembered in history, andthey will be recounted for years to come. The matches bestow duerecognition and status on the team, and acknowledge the many playerswho have contributed to success and achievement of the game of rugbyfor the last 100 years and more.Heoi anö ki a koutou katoa, nei ra te mihi nui atu ki a koutou.Hon Dr Pita R Sharples,Minita MäoriKökiri is published bi-monthly byTe Puni Kökiri (The Ministry ofMäori Development). Its kaupapais to celebrate Mäori achievement,showcase Mäori success and realiseMäori potential.Kökiri is FREE.For all database enquiriesincluding new subscriptions,updates and/or amendmentsvisit www.tpk.govt.nz/kokiriFor all editorial enquiries pleasecontact the Kökiri Editor at,kokiri@tpk.govt.nzor visit www.tpk.govt.nzThis issue was compiled byJaewynn McKay and Verona-Meiana Putaranui, MalcolmMulholland and Huia Publishers.DESIGN AND ART: Cluster CreativePRINT PRODUCTION: Webstar LtdDISTRIBUTION: Datamail GroupISSN: 1177-8164CONTRIBUTIONS: Te Puni Kökiriwelcomes editorial andphotographic contributions toKökiri. Te Puni Kökiri reservesthe right not to publish anycontribution given. Unsolicitedmaterial will not be returned unlessaccompanied by a stamped, selfaddressedenvelope. While all careis taken, no liability is accepted forloss or damage.COPYRIGHT: Parts of thispublication may be reproduced orcopied with the editor’s approval.© Te Puni Kökiri 2010DISCLAIMER: Kökiri is publishedby Te Puni Kökiri, PO Box 3943,Wellington. While every care hasbeen taken in the preparation ofthis publication, neither Te PuniKökiri nor the individual writersaccept any responsibility orliability, whether in contract orin tort (including negligence) orotherwise, for anything done ornot done by any person in reliance,whether wholly or partially, on anyof the contents of this publication.Readers should also note that thematerials in this publication arethe personal views of the writersand do not necessarily reflectthe official policy or views ofTe Puni Kökiri.4TE PUNI KöKIRI | KöKIRI | Höngongoi – Hereturiköka 2010