Indigenous Influence
New Zealand, or Aotearoa (the land of the long white cloud) as it is known to indegenous Māori populations, is home to nearly 800,000 Māori people (16.5% of the New Zealand population) and over 300,000 Pacific Islanders.
When it comes to Rugby, historian Ron Palenski has noted the massive influence that New Zealand’s indegenous populations have played in making rugby, and the All Blacks, such an important part of New Zealand culture.
This is hardly surprising given the huge cultural status of All Blacks legends like Tongan-New Zealander Jonah Lomu and Māori-born George Nepia, both of whom are widely regarded as two of New Zealand’s greatest ever rugby players.
Indigenous populations have also influenced numerous cultural and national traditions that have become an vital part of New Zealand rugby today.
Flip the page to see what some of these traditions are.