The pounamu pendants were designed for Kiwi athletes by master carver Fayne Robinson. Kiwi Olympians and Paralympians will head to Tokyo wearing pounamu pendants bearing symbols of both nation’s cultures. Lisa Tumahai, kaiwhakahaere (chair) of Ngāi Tahu, said pounamu was sacred to the iwi and they were honoured to have the athletes wear it. Named Te Taumutu o Angitu – the pinnacle of success – the pendants were designed by Ngāi Tahu master carver Fayne Robinson. Olympic athletes wearing pounamu dates back to 2004, when Ngāi Tahu loaned the team a mauri stone, or touchstone, to take to the Athens games.

Source: Stuff June 10, 2021 06:00 UTC