The sacred All Blacks Mauri stone has been returned the All Blacks Experience after travelling with the All Blacks on their recent tour to Australia and the Northern Hemisphere.
The Mauri stone accompanies the All Blacks wherever they play, at home or overseas, and embodies the team’s mana and offers them protection both in their travels and on the field.
The All Blacks Experience team act as kaitiaki of the precious taonga, which stays at the SkyCity venue when not with the All Blacks.
Guests to the All Blacks Experience are encouraged to touch the stone, which over time the stone collects the positive thoughts and wishes of manuhiri (guests). In this way the mauri and support of the nation is passed on to the All Blacks.
The stone was handed over to the All Blacks Experience by Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Waewae, one of the 18 Papatipu Rūnanga of Ngāi Tahu, who are kaitiaki of pounamu.
The mauri stone is a large piece of pounamu in its raw state. It was discovered by Gaye Tauwhare of Ngāti Waewae, in the Arahura River near Hokitika. Ngāi Tahu gifted the stone to the All Blacks in 2015 before they left to successfully defend the Rugby World Cup title in England.
Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu Kaiwhakahaere Lisa Tumahai says “Mauri is the life force, the essence or vitality of something. This beautiful taonga reflects the connection between the All Blacks and Ngāi Tahu and it’s special to be here today alongside mana whenua from Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei to celebrate these enduring relationships.”