Before Wellington Phoenix players left the changing room ahead their match against Melbourne City on Saturday night, they embraced one another and performed a hongi.

It is one of the many actions Mark Rudan has implemented in his first season as Phoenix coach in attempt to create stronger ties with New Zealand's Māori culture.

They have performed the hongi before every game, while Andrew Durante received a haka from a Māori culture group prior to his 250th Phoenix match and a Māori leader was invited in during pre-season to tell the story behind the Phoenix-like spirit of the taniwha that features on the club's crest.

"Getting up close and personal with your players, your staff members or your team-mates and looking in their eye, I thought it was very powerful," Rudan said.

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"We're all involved in it and it's that little moment between two people that is quite intimate and it's part of the culture, part of the connection and part of us as a group that we are all together in this, as a team-mate I've got your back and you've got mine.

"I felt there needed to be some action or a symbol that we could introduce that is part of who we are as a football club and what we represent. I saw it on TV, the touching of the noses and how it's meant to breathe new life into the other person. I thought 'this is superb, I'm going to use this'.

"I think there's more of a meaningful connection there, rather than a high-five or a shake of a hand. So then there was a matter of when do we use it because it was such a powerful thing and it wasn't something I wanted to use every day, so I spoke to the players and I spoke to Andrew Durante and said I'd like to do it before the game, what are your thoughts? So that's what we do."

GETTY IMAGES Mark Rudan celebrates with defender Louis Fenton following Wellington's win over Melbourne City.

From his outfit to his grand vision of improving the game in general, Rudan has bought into New Zealand 100 per cent. Yes, even the black shirt and sneakers he wears on gameday have a meaning behind them.

"Everyone is unique in their own way. A club from Auckland is different to a club from Hamilton or Christchurch for example because their cities are different. But above all that we are New Zealanders.

"But Wellington is different too, and it was important that I knew what the Wellington people were about. For me they are cool, they are hip, you have craft beer and all the different coffee beans, and that is one of the reasons why I wore sneakers in the first few games and I still do - because I represent them.

"I wear black because that's part of our colours. The All Blacks are a global institution. People might think whatever reason, but that's why. I wear black because I represent the country. I'm still young enough to get away with it I guess, but all these things I've bought into and I try to represent in some shape or form."

The Phoenix are making a strong push for a place in the playoffs. They are currently sixth-place on the A-League ladder, 11 points clear of Newcastle Jets.

Rudan said he hopes that success will now translate into other areas of the game in New Zealand, with a stronger scouting network and a squad comprising mainly of Kiwis all part of his long-term vision.

"You've got a unique opportunity to build on something here, knowing you change something within the professional club that hopefully the ripple effect starts to work and the whole game in the country can change."

Meanwhile, the Phoenix have signed another Kiwi with Team Wellington captain Justin Gulley bolstering their defensive stocks. The 26-year-old will provide cover for right wing-back Louis Fenton.

Gulley made eight appearances for the Phoenix during the 2015-16 season.