New Zealand Maori get new jersey

STANDING OUT: The New Zealand Maori team's new jersey, Te Ao Hōu (The New Dawn).

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New Zealand Maori will wear a new jersey in their centenary rugby season.

The jersey - Te Ao Hōu (The New Dawn) - was officially blessed in Wellington today, linking the 2010 players with their predecessors.

The jersey was blessed by New Zealand Maori Rugby board  member the Reverend Moses Cherrington at a function at the New Zealand Rugby Union.

New Zealand Maori play the New Zealand Barbarians, Ireland and England in a three-match series at home.

While the players will still wear a primarily black jersey it features an intrictae design of traditional Maori artwork.

The Centenary jersey draws its design firstly from the team haka "Tīmitanga," performed by the New Zealand Maori players before each game, and from aspects of the Maori world, both real and mythological.

Two iconic features of the Māori world also feature prominently in the jersey: the Korowai (cloak) and the Wharenui (meeting house).

The striking new jersey was designed by Dunedin's Dave Burke, New Zealand Rugby Union Maori Liasion Officer Tiki Edwards, New Zealand Māori team Kaumatua Whetu Tipiwai and Luke Crawford.

The unveiling in Wellington represents the culmination of more than a year's work to channel all of the history, the attributes and achievements of New Zealand Māori over 100 years into one visual representation on the jersey.

New Zealand Maori Coach Jamie Joseph said the jersey told the story of Maori rugby beautifully.

"This year is such a significant year for all Maori rugby players and coming from someone who has worn the jersey before, it is going to be a great honour for every player that gets to pull on this very special taonga," he said.

New Zealand Post have recognised the significance of the jersey by selecting it to appear on the 50cent stamp, one of two commemorative stamps issued to celebrate 100 Years of New Zealand Maori Rugby.

- © Fairfax NZ News