The Hurricanes have unveiled the new name of their inaugural women’s team –– Hurricanes Poua.
The new team identity was developed in collaboration between Te Āti Awa (mana whenua) and a working group that included NZR Māori Cultural Advisor, Luke Crawford; rugby legend, Dr Farah Palmer; Hurricanes Poua Head Coach, Wes Clarke; Assistant Coach, Victoria Grant; CEO, Avan Lee; Cultural Advisor and Mindset Coach, Luke Rowe; former Black Ferns, Marina Canterbury, Julie Ferguson, Erin Rush, Sosoli Talawadua and Izzy Ford (Porirua Deputy Mayor); Hurricanes Poua players, Selica Winiata, Sarah Hirini and Jax Patea-Fereti; and Ngāti Porou East Coast Rugby CEO, Cushla Tangaere Manuel.
By drawing from already existing pūrākau (Māori narratives), the team’s identity and connection to both the Hurricanes region and their people (past and present), happened naturally.
The name Poua derives from the pūrākau of Ranginui (sky father) and Papatūānuku (earthmother).
In this story, Huru-tea-a-rangi, female atua of winds, played a pivotal role in assisting Tāne (the progenitor of humankind) to bring light into the world, by gifting him four of her children in the form of pou (pillars) known as ngā hau e whā (the four winds). Tāne then positioned these four pou in the four corners of the sky allowing light to emerge.
As a verb, Poua means to establish, to position, to elevate and lift high, to plant firmly, to appoint and/or to anoint.
As a noun, Poua means pillar, upright, support, goalpost, sustenance and support, stalwart, mentor.
“The narrative of Poua is appropriate for our Club on many levels,” said Hurricanes Cultural Advisor and Mindset Coach, Luke Rowe.
“Firstly, it speaks to the early challenges of women in rugby and the many sacrifices experienced to achieve ‘light’. It highlights a whakapapa (genealogy) between Huru-tea-a-rangi and Tāwhirimātea from which the existing Hurricanes brand connects to. So, there is a clear link between the two premier Hurricanes teams."
“The reference to ngā hau e whā symbolises the vast Hurricanes region [Wellington, Horowhenua-Kāpiti, Manawatu, Wairarapa, Whanganui, Hawkes Bay, Poverty Bay, East Coast] and also the cultural diversity of our players,” said Rowe.
“Coincidentally, it also compliments the Super Rugby Aupiki name with Tāne’s ascension to the heavens (Aupiki), smartly reminding us of the importance of wāhine (the gift of the four pou) in the acquisition of goals and aspirations.”
“Diversity is also recognised throughout the many layers of Poua with the word pou found across Pasifika with similar meanings. The diversity extends further into the physical make up of players in rugby: Pou mua (forwards) and pou muri (backs) as rugby is one of the very few sporting codes in the professional era that still allows for players of all shapes and sizes to participate in.”
Poua is a unique term to the people of Te Āti Awa. It is used in the inaugural Hurricanes Haka to commemorate the relationship between the Hurricanes and mana whenua.
Hurricanes CEO Avan Lee said he loves the name and all the connection and pride it creates.
“We have produced something really special, for our region and our entire Club. We are really proud of the name.”
“We decided we wanted to share the name with the wider Hurricanes Club before announcing the name publicly. We wanted to ensure the name was embraced by our players as it’s the beginning of their legacy.”
New Zealand Rugby Union Māori Cultural Advisor Luke Crawford said he was happy that the Hurricanes had ensured tikanga was at the forefront of their identity development process.
“The primary input into the Hurricanes Poua team name has come from wāhine associated with the club and some players within the team.”
“This process also included engaging a number of iwi experts across the Hurricanes Poua catchment area. The name Poua and its association to ngā hau e whā (the 4 Winds) brings an added impetus to the tempest that is the Hurricanes franchise.”
Several brands have already signed on as founding partners of Hurricanes Poua, including National Storage, Bachcare, 2Degrees, Elevit, DSV and ASB.
Hurricanes CEO Avan Lee said he was thrilled to have so much support behind Hurricanes Poua.
“Even before they heard the name, they were really enthusiastic to back our women. We are delighted to have such great companies behind us. This is a significant time for women’s rugby and commercial support is fundamental to the success of Hurricanes Poua and Super Rugby Aupiki. We look forward to working closely with our partners and enjoying a great season.”
The Hurricanes women’s team head to Christchurch on Sunday, 6 March to open their account against Matatū at Orangetheory Stadium.
Hurricanes Poua identity developed in collaboration with:
Mana Whenua – Te Āti Awa
Leadership Group – Selica Winiata, Sarah Hirini and Jax Patea-Fereti
Working Group – Izzy Ford, Erin Rush, Sosoli Talawadua, Julie Ferguson, Marina Canterbury, Selica Winiata and Cushla Tangaere Manuel
Reference Group – Wes Clarke, Dr Farah Palmer, Victoria Grant, Tony Philp, Avan Lee, Luke Rowe and Luke Crawford