There are two passions which tangata whenua and our distant cousins from Fiji share –rugby and manaakitanga.

Both passions were evident when the Fijian rugby side received an official welcome to kick start their Rugby World Cup 2011 experience at Huria Marae.

The Fijian team was later presented with their official Rugby World Cup 2011 caps by Oregan Hoskins, President of the South African Rugby Union, and IRB Council mentor along with Julie Christie, Director of Rugby New Zealand.

Mr Hoskins described the tournament as a special journey – a journey to be shared with family, friends, team-mates, and fans. “The team will get to experience all that is great about New Zealand – its culture, its hosts and hospitality.”

Huria Marae spokesperson, Sylvia Willison, echoed the sentiment. “The event is about two peoples coming together, learning from one another, and experiencing each other’s culture. It is all about whakawhanaungatanga and manaakitanga at an international level.”

Hoe were presented to each of the five Rugby World Cup 2011 teams hosted in the region. The hoe were carved with a raranga inspired pattern connecting the peoples of Aotearoa and Te Moana Nui ā Kiwa.