Subj : Paris Olympics: Kakahu handover marks 100 days to go
To   : All
From : News
Date : Wed Apr 17 2024 12:36 pm

New Zealand's Olympic preparations hit another milestone this morning, with
the presentation of a special hand-woven cloak marking 100 days to go before
the event in Paris kicks off.


The original cloak, Te Mahutonga, was blessed by the late Maori queen Dame Te
Atairangikaahu 20 years ago.


It was ceremonially handed over from the Winter Olympics team to the Summer
Olympics team in Auckland this morning.


For the first time, a second kakahu - Te Hono ki Matariki - will be
travelling with the team to France as well.


It was blessed by the Maori king yesterday.


Two cloaks were needed this year after it was decided New Zealand would have
a second flag bearer.


The pair will wear the cloaks during the opening ceremony in July.


On the lawn in front of the Akarana Yacht Club, this morning's proceedings
began at about 6.40am.


"We are here today because it is 100 days [to go]," said Nicki Nicol, chief
executive of the NZ Olympic Committee (NZOC).


"There's 100 days of mahi to come and we're gonna need every one of them."


Ngati Whatua and the NZOC welcomed the guests with the iwi conducting
karakia, mihi and waiata.


Te Mahutonga was draped over a mannequin at the waterfront shortly after dawn
and a maioha, a form of karanga "evoking the spirit of Te Mahutonga, its mana
and mauri" was performed.

Ngati Whatua then continued with karakia and blessed Te Mahutonga with water,
which was also sprinkled on representatives of the Summer Olympics team.


Chef de Mission Nigel Avery praised the cloak's importance in ensuring the
team travelled safely before the athletes performed a haka and Ngati Whatua
performed closing waiata.

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