Very few Kiwis know what it's like to be a Super Bowl champion. In fact, only one has experienced the taste of victory on the NFL's biggest stage - former line backer Riki Ellison.
But 1News has uncovered another in Atipa Mabonga. The 25-year-old was born in Taranaki before moving to Southland and onto the United States to take up a Division One athletics scholarship.
She used her sports management studies to take up a social media internship with the Kansas City Chiefs, and it would ultimately turn into a full time job. Her colleagues include the likes of Andy Reid, Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce.
"I remember the first time I met Patrick Mahomes was in the elevator, I thought he's my co-worker he's my co-worker it's just another day," Mabonga told 1News.
The Kansas City Chiefs claimed the 2023 Super Bowl, with Mabonga given her own personalised ring.
"I don't know any other NFL teams that do that, getting the same [ring] as the players and having my name on it, I think it was a joy to give to my parents," Mabonga said.
Her job involves working with celebrities associated to the Chiefs, and it doesn't get much bigger than Kansas super fan Taylor Swift.
"Loving having her at the games as a fan, I've had a pleasure of interacting with her, but respect she is a fan, she definitely has brought a new demographic," Mabonga said.
Another Kiwi, sort of, is Chiefs defensive quality control coach Alex Whittingham. Prior to his seven seasons at the Chiefs, Whittigham spent two years in New Zealand on a church mission before joining as a coach.
"I was up in the North Island, Hamilton, South Auckland, Mangere. Two of the best years of my life were down there, you got the diaries on the corner with the meat pies and the mince and cheese," Whittingham said.
During the NFL's heritage round where players and coaches can wear the flags of the countries they represent, Whittingham opted to have the New Zealand flag stitched on his kit.
And when asked if New Zealand could claim him as one of their own.
He replied "yes absolutely I'd be honoured".
You can watch the Super Bowl live on TVNZ1 and TVNZ+ on Monday from 12pm.
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