New Zealand Unveils ‘Kotahitanga’ ODI Jersey Blending Indian & Māori Art to Mark 100 Years of Sporting Ties

New Delhi, Oct 11: Ahead of the upcoming India tour of New Zealand, the Kiwis have unveiled a special limited-edition ODI jersey featuring lotus flowers and mandala art to commemorate 100 years of sporting ties with India.

Dubbed the 'Kotahitanga', the ODI shirt celebrates the cultural blend between India and New Zealand, who are bound together by their shared love for cricket. The shirt has been created through a collaboration between Ben Thomason, Shiv Narandas and Jai Pancha.

The design incorporates three Indian-inspired motifs: the lotus, India's national flower; a repeating ogee pattern influenced by Indian architecture; and the mandala, which provides a symmetrical framework that complements Māori design traditions.

On the New Zealand side, artist Thomason has incorporated kowhaiwhai- traditional Māori painted scroll patterns- over a background of haehae lines. These elements represent the connection between the living and those who have passed away, while honouring the people who have helped build the relationship between the two nations. The design also recognises the significance of cricket to players, supporters and those working behind the scenes.

New Zealand Cricket Chief Marketing and Commercial Officer Glenn Critchley welcomed the collaboration, praising the way the artwork brings together distinct Indian and Māori identities. He said sport plays an important role in strengthening ties between the countries and expressed hope that the jersey would become a treasured collector's item for cricket fans in both nations.

For Narandas, whose family originates from India, the project carries a personal meaning. He described the shirt as reflecting his family's journey in New Zealand and hoped people would appreciate the effort and emotion invested in its creation.

The unveiling comes ahead of India's tour of New Zealand, which begins with a five-match T20I series on October 22. The teams will then contest five One-Day Internationals, starting November 4. The jersey is intended to celebrate not only the sport's popularity but also the shared cultural connections between the two cricketing nations.