The French city of Lyon will have a lasting reminder of hosting the All Blacks for the Rugby World Cup – a park bench carved by tohunga whakairo from the New Zealand Māori Arts & Craft Institute.
Institute manager Eraia Kiel says it will be a symbol of unity for many years to come.
He says the carvers flew over for last week’s presentation ceremony.
“And what a beautiful occasion. We had over a150 tamariki there – French children, and a couple of hundred of the community showed up… and just overwhelmed. And a lot of ex-pats as well. And you know, quite an emotional day because for a lot of them that live abroad, now they’ve got somewhere to go to feel their sense of home,” Mr Kiel says.
The bench with its fully-carved backrest and steel legs represents the treasure and strength of communities – and in rugby terms is a reminder that you are only as strong as all the players on your bench.
