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Ben Stokes’ tattoos have different meanings to him.
Listen to the full episode of the Podcast in the player below.
Part of Ben Stokes’ vast collection of ink are figures linked to his Māori heritage, but the England Test superstar couldn’t get his first body art without his parents’ permission, his mum has revealed.
A week after the England side arrived in New Zealand for their two-Test tour, Stokes’ mum Deb joined StuffPodium sports podcast.
With guest Zoë George, he discussed his admiration for his son’s honesty about mental health struggles, coach Brendon McCullum’s influence on him as a leader, and his precious connection to Aotearoa.
Part of that connection to the country of his birth is the moko on his left arm, as Christ-based Deb reveals the story behind those key figures.
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“I remember when we were living in Wales (in the north of England), Ben had said, ‘I want to get a tattoo mum,'” says Deb, who is of Ngāpuhi descent.
“That was at the time when you needed parental consent, which was quite a bit younger than what it was in New Zealand. We therefore sat in him, and Ged his father. And I said, What do you want?”
The cricket star replied that he did not know about the inoculation.
Stu Forster/Getty Images
England captain Ben Stokes left, shares joke with new coach Brendon McCullum.
“I said, ‘Dad, and I’m not going to give you permission to do this,'” you need something that means something to you that reflects your heritage, and how you live in the UK now.
“He did it, he allowed it.”
With several tattoos now covering her body, Deb says that each one of them means something to her.
“It’s not like he has a star painted on his back.”
Procuring
Deb Stokes with her son Ben, and late husband Gerard, who played for the Kiwis.
For the full interview with Deb Stokes on his admiration for Benia’s honesty about his mental struggles, coach Brendon McCullum’s influence on him as a leader and who supports his son’s Black Caps face with the England team, listen via the audio player above; or click here.
