International hockey career: Elva Marama Love

These badge-encrusted pennants carry mementoes of the international hockey career of Elva Marama Love (née Enoka) (Te Āti Awa, Ngāti Puketapu, Ngāti Tuaho, Ngāti Kahungunu, 1929–1986).

Elva Love started playing hockey at Featherston High School in the Wairarapa in the 1940s. She went on to play for provincial, Māori and national teams. In 1963 she became the first Māori woman to captain the New Zealand Women’s Hockey Team.

Love led the team on a successful tour of the United States and Canada in 1963 where many friendships were formed and renewed among the international women’s hockey community. Many of these badges and pins would have been given as tokens of friendship and hospitality.