The Wellington Phoenix have been gifted two taonga by mana whenua ahead of today’s inaugural Isuzu UTE A-League match with Auckland FC.
Rangatira Liz Mellish and Dame Naida Glavish, from Te Āti Awa and Ngāti Whātua respectively, have named the New Zealand derby Mai te Raki ki te Tonga, meaning ‘From the North to the South’ in te reo Māori.
The title honours the cities’ vast geographical and cultural connections, which draws together players, fans and communities.
Te Āti Awa have also gifted the Phoenix a treasured taonga for Mai te Raki ki te Tonga matches in Te Whanganui-a-Tara.
They have crafted Ka Topa, meaning ‘to soar’ or ‘to rise’, which is a physical representation of the club’s life force and spirit.
Made from rākau (wood), Ka Topa features a large pounamu at its core, a spiritual anchor that embodies and sustains the Phoenix’s values.
The taonga also details the legend of the taniwha Ngake and Whātaitai, and includes the tohu design created by Charmaine Love and Te Raukura (the plume of white feathers), which is an important symbol to those who affiliate to Te Āti Awa.
The overall silhouette of Ka Topa is Taranaki maunga, which is hugely important to mana whenua and considered tapu.
Ka Topa was blessed by Te Āti Awa on Pito-one foreshore this morning before being presented to the Wellington Phoenix, who are now its guardians.
The taonga will be on display at Sky Stadium this evening and will be presented to the winner or the current holder (in the case of a draw) of Mai te Raki ki te Tonga matches in Te Whanganui-a-Tara, but the taonga will always remain in Wellington.
A small replica will be crafted in the future on the off chance Auckland FC are able to soar above the Wellington Phoenix.
Main image: Priyanka Rao/Wellington Phoenix.
