Carver delighted Adams wore taonga (+ video)

The taonga was carved by former Whakatane artist Rangi Kipa which was worn by New Zealand Commonwealth Games flag bearer Valerie Adams during yesterday's opening ceremony. Photo / Trevor Shailer

A former Whakatane carver and artist has had his worked displayed in front of millions at the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games.

Rotorua-born shot-putter Valerie Adams led the New Zealand team into the Celtic Park stadium in Glasgow yesterday morning proudly wearing a taonga (treasure) designed and carved by Rangi Kipa.

Mr Kipa, who lived in Whakatane for 12 years and recently moved to Northland, has been working with the New Zealand Olympic Committee for six years. He has designed artwork for the athletes' village, uniforms and taonga for the country's flag bearers and athletes for the past summer and winter Olympic campaigns and the Commonwealth Games.

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He was briefed to do a piece for whoever was chosen to carry the flag in Glasgow more than two weeks ago.

"I don't know who the flagbearer is going to be [when making it] they [Olympic committee] don't know most of the time leading up to the actual event, so I have to make sure the work can be worn by either a male or female," Mr Kipa said.

"The whale tooth was given to me as a koha [gift] for a ta moko that I did and the puhoro design, is a well-known reference in the Maori world for a design used on the warrior class, it represents the idea of strength, tenacity and those sort of qualities you find in a leader."

Mr Kipa said he received a hint that Adams was going to be the flag bearer about a week ago but he wasn't officially told until a couple of days ago. He didn't realise it was the opening ceremony yesterday and found out through friends on Facebook.

"I think it's great, [Adams] was chosen, she is definitely in a class of her own, look at her achievements, she has a long list of international and national titles and is well deserving of the position." he said.