Where Warriors Rise

Through the All Blacks Experience in Auckland, Nainaa R Rajpaal uncovers the rituals, reverence, and raw emotion behind New Zealand's most iconic team

- Nainaa R Rajpaal

"KIA ORA, WELCOME," says a bright-eyed guide, greeting me in the traditional Māori way as I step into the All Blacks Experience (experienceallblacks.com). Like many, my introduction to the legendary team was shaped by their electrifying pre-game ritual—the Haka, a performance as powerful as it is unforgettable. I still remember the first time I saw the Haka war cry on my laptop at the insistence of my partner. It was a spectacle that gave me goosebumps, even through a tiny phone screen. The irony is that I am not a sports fan, but an admirer of the mystical Māori culture. The fact that a sport so seamlessly blended itself with the spirit of the land is what intrigued me.

This private experience begins with my charismatic guide for the day—former All Black Ian Jones. He points me to the Māori whakatuaki (proverbs) painted on the walls: "My success is not achieved alone, but rather it is achieved collectively."

The Sacred Stone

In the cool, dimly lit opening room of the All Blacks Experience, I sense the quiet weight of legacy. My gaze instantly falls upon the sacred mauri stone shining in the centre. Kept on a lit podium, it almost glows in the dark with the mystery of a thousand years.

Ian shares how, for many All Blacks, this stone is more than symbolic—it's grounding. He touches it every time he walks past and invites me to touch it and reflect on my intentions. Ian explains that the stone helps you pay closer attention to your intuition.

"Some might call it superstition," he admits with a wry smile, "but I've always felt there are whispers if you're willing to hear them." It's a sentiment that snags on something within me.