Fatherhood inspires All Black Tyrel Lomax to reconnect with his Māoritanga
All Blacks rugby player Tyrel Lomax discusses his journey to reconnect with his Māori heritage after becoming a father. He emphasizes the importance of cultural representation and Māori-medium education for the next generation.
Why it matters
Highlights the role of cultural identity and education in the lives of public figures and the broader Māori community.
All Blacks prop Tyrel Lomax says becoming a father inspired him to reconnect with his Māoritanga, determined to give his tamariki the cultural grounding he felt he had missed growing up.
Lomax (Tūhoe, Muaupoko) was among a rōpū of All Blacks who spent Tuesday morning at Birkenhead Primary School on Auckland's North Shore, joining tamariki for classroom activities, kapa haka and a barbecue before the squad departs for South Africa.
The All Black - who recently celebrated his 50th test in June - said the visit was a reminder of why representation matters.
"When you reflect on your career as a rugby player, but also standing in your Māoritanga, how important is it for other rangatahi Māori to see themselves reflected in a team like the All Blacks?" RNZ's Te Manu Korihi asked him.
"I think massively important," Lomax said.
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