About Taiaha Sports
Taiaha is a New Zealand Warrior Brand to the core with Rugby as it’s lifeblood. The Warrior/Taiaha Logo is representative of the Warrior Mentality that every successful athlete, scholar or business person possesses. The understanding that nothing is life comes easy, without hard work achieving success is impossible. The Taiaha team hope that those who wear the Taiaha brand will be encouraged to accomplish Pride, Honour and Achievement on and off the sports field.
We supply to clubs and schools who are looking for quality rugby apparel. We take pride in our products and know that you will too.
Please visit our products section for more information on our apparel. For information on ordering please check out our ordering page.
About the Taiaha
Taiaha (pronounced tie-ah-ha). Tai-ah meaning Pathway and ha the essence of the warriors breathe.
Although the Taiaha does appear to be a spear-like weapon, the Taiaha is not used as a spear. Held with two hands, short, calculated strikes, blocks and thrusts are conducted to intimidate and exhibit the prowess, strength, power (mana) and the skill of the Maori warriors. The Maori Warriors used the Taiaha to fight off the British in 1876.
In modern times the Taiaha can be seen as part of the wero ceremony. A warrior challenges a visitor with a taiaha to determine if he is a friend or foe. The warrior leaves a token at the visitor’s feet. A friend will pick up the token. A foe will step on the token and attack. The taiaha is an important part of the Maori and New Zealand Culture, it is a representation of the ancestors. When the warrior brought the taiaha into battle, it represented him bringing his ancestors with him.
The Taiaha is very ornate with the carvings representing traditional Maori elements. The shaft represents the body of the ancestors. The eyes on the flattened, two-sided head represent looking forward and also the past - representing all-seeing. placed feathers on the head represent the hair of the ancestors and the protruding tongue is symbolized by the tip of the taiaha.
There are a number of clear qualities that the Taiaha brings that are also held fast in the sports brand. Pride, Tradition, Honor, Respect and Strength.
About Rugby in New Zealand
Rugby in New Zealand is more than a game, more than a Saturday kick-a-round, and more than a simple past time. Rugby is the essence that defines New Zealand culture. A n isolated country of less than 5 million people, isolated from the world geographically, and certainly not an economic super power, but when a kiwi is offshore travelling the globe one phrase bridges that divide, what is that phrase? All Blacks.
Rugby in New Zealand is a physical expression that brings families, communities, and cultures together. It is a classless sport that has no prejudice against race nor colour. It allows strangers to communicate, neighbours to forgive, and even political parties to unify. Played in every corner of the country, Rugby is not defined by public or private schools. Rugby is a grass roots game that brings hope to so many. This is what unifies this small island, and this is what makes the All Blacks so great. Rugby and the "All Blacks" puts this country on the map. Its a team from a small country that represents cultures and communities from every corner of Aotearoa that unifies our nation.
The All Blacks represent a nations hopes. The hope of the under dog, the hope of success and national pride, the hope of a classless society achieving the impossible dream, and for many young men in this culture, the hope of becoming a pathway to a better life.
This is why rugby is important to New Zealanders. This is why rugby is truly more than just a game.