Man of culture: Riki open to future Indigenous team switch

“It's funny, because a few of the players, they messaged me to tell me to go over to the team. Josh Curran messaged me earlier in the week, he's a good mate of mine too, so it was really nice and welcoming feeling when you get asked to come over and join them.

“He's like, ‘we're seeing if you wanna come over’, … I actually even got offered this week to go to the Indigenous camp for the day and learn a bit about my father's culture, so that was a really nice feeling to be able to be welcomed over into the other camp.”

Like Riki, players including Dane Gagai, who is currently with the Māori side, and Olivia Kernick who is in camp with the Indigenous All Stars side, have mixed heritage, with that pair already representing both of their parents at All Stars.

Both cultures also share and uphold similar beliefs and values in uplifting family and their natural environment, something that resonates with the Broncos forward.

“I love the cultural exchanges, especially when the Elders from both teams are talking.

“A lot in their conversation is about the Indigenous and First Nations people being the elder sibling of New Zealand, it's pretty much the oldest culture in the world.

“We're both learning from one another and it was just really cool to have Elders from both teams speaking so highly of each other, in the respectful manner, also.

“As well, how we can bounce stories and ideas and all that sort of stuff off each other, I found it really interesting and I actually picked up a lot – I think this is my fourth camp now and I'm still learning and picking up different stories from both teams.

“I definitely would love to represent my like biological father's side and like I'm massive on culture and I'd love to learn both sides of my culture.

“I love obviously learning about the Māori heritage and culture all the time, and I was lucky enough and grateful enough to be around it growing up, through my mum's side of family.

“I definitely would love to dip my toes in and jump in the waters of the First Nations and Indigenous side.

“I think it would be massively emotional probably for me; not knowing much, or pretty much barely any growing up, so, (to be able) to talk to some of the Elders in the Indigenous camp there, (they are) hugely welcoming to me, about telling me to come over and learn as much as I can.”

For Riki, this week is especially vital in not only celebrating the two cultures but also highlighting the work still to do to have the broader Australian and New Zealand population understand that importance.

There have been widespread marches in New Zealand in support of protecting the Treaty in the face of mooted government plans to alter the document, which has been in place since 1840. 

“They're just trying to sort of get rid of the Treaty really, not respecting (it)… it is very sad," Riki said. 

“Just recently, maybe a month ago, we had a march, so all of New Zealand got together and did a march on onto the Government House in Wellington there and did a protest, a peaceful protest, which resounded globally.

“It's hugely sad seeing what's going on back home, not only back home but also here in Australia as well, it's our rights, it's who we are, it's who we belong to.

“We're not trying to put anyone down by saying you can't be here because this isn't your land.

“We want to be able to share it for everyone, but at the same time we want to be respected on our own land.

“That’s why I think this game and this week's so special for not only the players and people that come watch and enjoy it.

“No matter how much people try to tuck away Māori and Indigenous culture, we're still going to fight and stand up.”