For current release: 18 August 2008
NZ Jewellery Designer Scores With Black Sticks In Beijing
The men’s and women’s Black Sticks hockey teams have a unique reminder of home with them in China: Avant-garde recycled
black rubber pendants created by fast-growing New Zealand jewellery manufacturer Mamarua.
Tracy Willis, Administration Manager of Hockey NZ, selected the unique pendants as gifts for the Olympic squads. She
bought 36 black rubber pendants – 18 ‘Koru’ pendants for the men's team, and 18 ‘Tapa’ pendants for the women's team.
``We loved the NZ look of them, and the fact that they were made from recycled rubber,’’ said Tracey. ``The black was so
appropriate for NZ sport and suits both sexes.’’
Mamarua’s range is 100% NZ made from recycled material. Industrial synthetic resin and rubber scrap saved from landfills
gets poured into moulds. Once moulded this scrap becomes beautifully crafted hanging mementos and pendants. The range
was launched in October 2007 and is already featured in over 45 premium design stores throughout New Zealand, plus one
in the U.K., two in Australia and three in Hawaii.
Kiwi designer Anna Gundesen, who co-founded Mamarua with Therese Mangos, said: ``It’s a privilege to be able to support
the Black Sticks. Hockey carries the flag for New Zealand at the Olympic, World Cup and Commonwealth Games – and we’re
aiming to spread a little New Zealand magic with everything we create, too.’’
ENDS