Taniwharau Rugby League Football Club badge

item details

NameTaniwharau Rugby League Football Club badge

ProductionT.M. Dick & Co Ltd; metalworker; 1950s - early 1980s; Petone

Classificationbadges

Materialsmetal, enamel

Materials SummaryMetal decorative badge

DimensionsOverall: 25mm (width), 28mm (height), 12mm (depth)

Registration NumberGH022045

Credit linePurchased 2003

Overview

This is an example of a Taniwharau Rugby League Club decorative badge. Gold coloured metal. The badge is in the shape of a shield. In the centre is a depiction of a three headed taniwha in gold and "TANIWHARAU R.L.F. CLUB". The original pin is missing. A large unprotected spike pin has been added to the back.

Māori rugby league

Since 1908, Māori teams have made a vital contribution to rugby league in New Zealand and Australia. Many marae-based clubs such as the Taniwharau Rugby League Club are synonymous with Māori rugby league.

The Taniwharau Rugby League Club was founded in 1944 in Huntly, New Zealand, by Ngāti Mahuta leader Tonga Mahuta (1892/93-1947). The club plays in a green and gold strip and is based at Waahi Pa in Huntly.

The club adopted the taniwha as its motif with its name translating as ‘100 taniwha’. Taniwha can be powerful creatures and leaders, and can be seen as something or someone awesome. This is aptly illustrated by the club producing players who have represented New Zealand internationally, including Andrew Berryman, Don Parkinson, Rick Muru, Wairangi Koopu and Lance Hohaia.