April 18, 2024
Kākahu blessed for Olympic opening
A cloak made by New Zealand Olympic Committee kuia Rānui Ngārimu and the late Te Aue Davis for the 2004 Athens Olympics as well as a new kākahu have been blessed by King Tuheitia.
The new feather cloak, Te Hono ki Matariki, was commissioned because of a decision to have two flag bearers at the Paris games in 100 days time.
Māori culture lead Oriini Kaipara says Te Māhutonga was blessed by the late Te Arikinui Te Ātairangi Kāhu before it was worn by Beatrice Faumuina at Athens.
“Mā te kaiārahi, mā te tangata toa o ngā toa tērā o ngā kākahu e mau. So it’s only fitting that it’s blessed by the son of the former Māori monarch and it’s an acknowledgement of our willingness and ability to unite to work side by side. And to bridge that really huge gap between you know, race relations,” she says.
The New Zealand Olympic squad also has a new mauri stone, Pou Tangata, gifted by Ngai Tahu.