The New Zealand branch of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (RANZCO) has approved the commissioning of a korowai to represent the branch at ceremonial occasions.
Announcing the decision, New Zealand branch chair Dr Liz Insull said the move followed an extended period of consultation, discussion and cultural guidance. “This korowai will be a taonga belonging to the New Zealand Branch, a symbol of leadership, continuity and our identity within Aotearoa New Zealand,” she said.
Dr Insull said the korowai would sit alongside the branch’s existing ceremonial traditions while providing “a uniquely New Zealand expression of leadership” at significant college events. She thanked Fellows for their engagement throughout the process, saying their input had helped shape and strengthen the proposal.
“I particularly want to acknowledge the generosity of those Fellows and groups who pledged support toward the project,” Dr Insull told RANZCO NZ conference delegates at the formal dinner.
She said the branch will now begin work with Te Pūia master weavers Cori Marsters and John Turi-Tiakitai to create the korowai over the coming months.
