The Crusaders core value, For Each Other
, speaks to being part of something bigger than ourselves. It’s about showing up for our teammates on the field, for the fans in the stands, and most importantly, for our community beyond the stadium.
To Crusade with Heart
is to act not only with courage, but with compassion and understanding. It’s about leading with conviction, while grounding that leadership in kindness and generosity. It is the commitment to do good for others — to give what we can, where it matters most.
Driven by a desire to take a more purposeful approach to community impact, and a vision to become one of the most impactful sports organisations in the world, the Crusade with Heart Foundation
was established.
The Foundation exists
to build belonging and connection beyond the rugby field, creating meaningful impact for those in our communities who need it most.
Since its inception in 2022, through initiatives such as The Long Run
, the Hall of Fame Charity Lunch
, and themed rounds like Connection Round
, the Foundation has raised over $1,000,000 for youth-focused charities across Aotearoa. Proceeds from the sale of this Kouma will go directly to supporting this work.
This heart-shaped Kouma
is carved from Hapopo Pounamu, a stone formed by time, pressure, and the quiet forces of whenua and wai. It carries with it a sense of place, of memory, and of those who have come before.
This is a heart made of stone, not to harden, but to endure.
It reflects the values of the Crusaders: where people, land, and water are bound together as one. At its centre is Te Mānawanui
, the enduring strength and wellbeing of the next generation. A living commitment that what we shape today will sustain them tomorrow.
Its form speaks to connection, two halves reaching toward one another, holding space between them for care, responsibility, and growth.
Moko Pounamu, in partnership with the Crusaders, have brought this piece to life. The stone is sourced from Te Tai Poutini, the West Coast of the South Island, and has been shaped by hand in Ōtautahi.
The craftsmanship is deeply local, grounded in whānau, guided by aroha, and expressed through manaaki. Moko Pounamu are proud to partner with the Crusaders and the Crusade with Heart Foundation to create a taonga of meaning and purpose.
The Kouma sits close to the heart, symbolising protection, inner strength, and resilience. Traditionally representing the sternum, it is a central structure of the body, providing support and endurance.
This taonga
serves as a reminder of the wearer’s inner strength, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. It represents courage, and the ability to meet life’s challenges with determination.
The coolness of the stone against the skin connects the wearer to Papatūānuku, grounding them in their journey.
Ngai Tahu Trace Code P20180A9
Dimensions
58mm x 45mm x 10mm thick
Carved By Josh Manning/Moko Workshops
in Otautahi Christchurch
Boxes Made by Frontal Lobe
from Sustainable Birch in Otautahi Christchurch
