'Kotahitanga' jersey unveiled for Christchurch match

Former Warrior Lewi Brown’s latest jersey collaboration with the One New Zealand Warriors and Dynasty Sport – ‘Kotahitanga’ – has been unveiled today for the club’s first NRL clash at One New Zealand Stadium in Christchurch against North Queensland on June 21.

Following on from Brown’s inspirational ‘Dear Warrior’ 2025 concept, ‘Kotahitanga’ went on presale to One New Zealand Warriors members this morning before being available online from 7.00pm today.

It will be on sale in retail outlets from 9.00am tomorrow (Tuesday, May 26).

Brown, who played 84 games as Warrior #151 from 2009-2012, worked with the One New Zealand Warriors and Dynasty Sport to create the deeply personal ‘Dear Warrior’ jersey which the Warriors wore in their home match against Canberra in May last year.

‘Kotahitanga’ is equally symbolic on a personal level for Brown but it also speaks to the Warriors as an all-embracing community.

“This jersey is more than fabric. It is more than a uniform,” he said.

“It is a symbol of connection, a bridge between the north and the south, between communities, cultures, histories and hearts.

“For the people of Christchurch, the past decade has carried unimaginable weight. They have endured loss, grief and tragedy, yet they have continued to show up for one another with strength, compassion and unity.

“This jersey honours that spirit. It pays tribute to the families and victims of the Christchurch earthquake, and to the resilience of a city that continues to rise. It also acknowledges the significance of playing at One New Zealand Stadium, a place where remembrance, pride and community can come together.”

Kotahitanga is a Māori concept meaning oneness, unity and togetherness emphasising a collective action, solidarity and shared purpose to achieve common goals.

“The ‘Kotahitanga’ jersey is a celebration of the special place held by the Warriors in the hearts and minds of fans throughout New Zealand,” said Brown.

“Woven into it are symbols that honour three deeply important figures from the club’s history: Quentin Pongia, Sonny Fai and Doc (John) Mayhew. Their legacy lives on in our club, our people and the values we carry forward.

“This jersey also reflects the multicultural heart of our team and our country. It recognises that our strength comes from our differences and that unity is not about being the same. It is about standing together.

“Above all, this jersey is about togetherness. It is about people who keep turning up for each other. It is about having one another’s backs through the hardest times. It is about making Christchurch feel seen, included and embraced by the wider New Zealand rugby league community.”

The design is an updated interpretation of the jersey first worn by the Warriors in 2001 when, under new ownership, the club transitioned from its original name of the Auckland Warriors to the New Zealand Warriors.

“Changing the name from ‘Auckland’ to ‘New Zealand’ represents the welcoming nature of the club, emphasising that it is for all of New Zealand and not just Auckland,” said Brown.

“The story of the New Zealand Warriors started in 2001 and my idea of how I designed it was that New Zealand had to come together to change the chapter in the Warriors’ history and become the New Zealand Warriors.

“The colours of the 2001 New Zealand Warriors are the colours of our heroes, the ones who played Warriors football, the ones who changed the way rugby league was played in New Zealand, the way it was accepted, the entertainment, the way the game flowed. It was a point of difference.

"I really wanted to embrace that 2000s journey, relive that 2002 grand final, relive that brand of footy the Warriors were known for, the brand that has never been emulated again and never will be. Also the players in that team who redefined what their positions were. They’re the pioneers of this jersey. This a tribute to those players who allowed me to dream.”

Click here to read article