It started with a conversation while watching an All Blacks pre-match haka.

Just over a year later the idea became reality when Black Caps star Trent Boult presented caps to New Zealand Cricket's first Māori Schools team at the Basin Reserve on Wednesday.

The lucky 12 filed up in the Long Room to be greeted by a Boult hongi, their new caps and a pounamu carved and blessed by Ray Kingi.

Under captain Ollie White the team will play their first match at Wellington's Karori Park on Thursday, against a Governor General's XI captained by former Black Cap Hamish Marshall.

School Sport New Zealand chief executive Garry Carnachan said the idea was put to NZC after he and NZ Cricket Players' Association chief executive Heath Mills had the conversation during an All Blacks test against France.

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