He Kete Mātauranga

He Kete Mātauranga means “A Basket of Knowledge”, a name chosen to recognise the knowledge, wisdom and experience that this coach has brought to the New Zealand senior men’s canoe polo team. This hei toki was commissioned by the Paddle Blacks as a gift for their French coach, acknowledging everything he has contributed to the team and recognising him as an important part of their New Zealand canoe polo whānau.

The hei toki is carved from Pounamu and is approximately 7cm long. The design on the face combines a koru with three small circular forms flowing from it, bringing together several layers of meaning that relate directly to his role within the team.

The toki is traditionally associated with strength, determination, leadership and purposeful action. It comes from the toki as a working tool, used to cut, shape and create. For this taonga, that idea of shaping is particularly important. As a coach, he has helped shape players and the team, while also helping carve a path forward for canoe polo in New Zealand.

The koru represents growth. It reflects the development of the individual players he has worked with, the growth of the team, and his contribution to the wider development of New Zealand canoe polo.

Coming from the koru are three small circular forms. These represent kete of knowledge, wisdom and skills. Before becoming their coach, he had already competed at the highest levels of canoe polo and brought that depth of experience with him. The circles are connected directly to the koru because this knowledge has not simply been held by him; it has been shared with the team and has become part of their growth.

There is also an important element of connection within this taonga. Although their coach is based on the other side of the world in France, the relationship he has built with the players goes well beyond distance. He has given his time, knowledge and experience to the team and, through that contribution, has become part of their whānau.

I really enjoyed bringing these different ideas together into one hei toki. He Kete Mātauranga is ultimately about recognising the value of knowledge when it is shared — how one person’s experience can help shape others, encourage growth and leave something lasting within a community.