RWC motif: Give it a whirl

ROBERT KITCHIN/The Dominion Post

TENACIOUS DESIGNER: Artist Te Tahi Takao, 32, pictured on the beach with Libby Hakaraia, is behind the hammerhead shark and koru fern emblem officially publicising next year's tournament.

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The Maori motif that will be seen by millions of followers of the Rugby World Cup started as a doodle in the sand on Otaki Beach.

Artist Te Tahi Takao, 32, pictured on the beach with Libby Hakaraia, is behind the hammerhead shark and koru fern emblem officially publicising next year's tournament.

His work will be featured on all flags, official merchandise and at match venues during the tournament and its buildup.

He received the commission in September 2008 after being recommended by Hakaraia, an Otaki-based film and television company director. She had been approached by Rugby World Cup Ltd's Australian-based design and brand agency, Witekite, to recommend Maori artists for World Cup design work.

Takao, of Ngai Tuhoe, Te Atiawa and Ngati Toa descent, is a graphic designer employed as a print publications manager at Te Wananga o Raukawa in Otaki. "I came up with 30 designs before the final one was accepted," he said. "I did a lot of my thinking and design testing while doodling on the beach."

He chose the hammerhead shark because Maori considered it tenacious – a quality required by top rugby players.

- © Fairfax NZ News