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World video travel guide
News • New Zealand • 2011-06-30
Unique Kiwi welcome for RWC teams
Teams arriving in New Zealand for Rugby World Cup 2011 will be embraced by the warmth of the local culture from the moment they arrive in their host regions.
Tournament organiser Rugby New Zealand 2011 has confirmed today (30.6.11) the arrangements for official team welcomes for each of the 20 participating teams.
The Māori spirit of hospitality or manaakitanga will come to the fore as each team is welcomed into their arrival region with a mix of marae-based experiences and civic events.
Uniquely New Zealand
Michelle Hooper, of RNZ 2011, says the welcome ceremonies for each team will be "warm and uniquely New Zealand flavoured".
The location of each welcome has been determined by the region the team first stays in, and will combine local cultural elements and distinctive regional hospitality to ensure teams kick off their visit in a memorable way.
"The regions have really embraced this concept, have been central to planning and are thrilled about being the first to welcome the teams to New Zealand," says Hooper.
Capping ceremony
A key part of each welcome will be an official capping ceremony where each of the 30 team members receives an official commemorative cap marking his participation in the seventh Rugby World Cup.
The welcome ceremonies will take place between September 1 and 8, and involve 12 Māori marae / communities and eight civic ceremonies.
Japan will be the first team welcomed on September 1 at Aotea Square in Auckland, and the last will be Russia, at Blenheim’s Omaka Marae on September 8.
Meeting place
A marae is a meeting place for Māori communities, and the welcome ceremony or pōwhiri includes speeches and songs, and concludes with a meal or hākari.
Civic welcomes will also include pōwhiri elements, and will differ from place to place depending on iwi / tribe and local protocol.
"Underlining all welcomes is the Māori spirit of hospitality or manaakitanga, which means the act of hosting or caring," says Hooper.
"The welcomes will show teams that their arrival here is special both for local communities and our country and will be a great example of the warm hosting we are sure New Zealanders will provide teams and fans throughout the tournament."
Setting tournament tone
Rugby World Cup Ltd (RWCL) believes the welcomes will set the tone for the seven-week tournament.
"The warmth of the team welcomes will be the start of a great New Zealand experience for all players and officials at RWC 2011," says Kit McConnell, RWCL Tournament Director.
He says the way each team engages with the host country and the communities hosting them, is an important part of every Rugby World Cup and what makes the tournament special.
"This tournament is not just about the rugby it is also about showcasing the very best that New Zealand has to offer from its cuisine, culture and countryside, to the warmth of its people."
Exceptional experience
McConnell says the teams are excited about arriving in New Zealand, and communities throughout New Zealand are excited about welcoming them and making them feel at home.
The arrival of each team into the country will also be acknowledged in a uniquely Kiwi way with an informal welcome by the public and local community at the airport of their final New Zealand destination.
Māori marae
Central to Māori culture and community activities is the marae - dedicated buildings which represent the genealogy and stories of the local iwi or people.
Marae provide a meeting place for Māori and their communities to gather for celebrations, bereavements, wānanga / learning forums, and hui / meetings.
Manaakitanga is how Māori express hospitality to their manuhiri / guests. This unique expression is visible when Māori welcome visitors during a ceremony called pōwhiri (also pōhiri).
A pōwhiri is a set of protocols which include speeches and songs, and concludes with a meal or hakari. The protocols can vary between iwi and regions.
