Entrance begins a new story
Children from Kuratau School have a new entranceway to be proud of.
Standing 4 metres high, two Totara pou were blessed and officially gifted to the school last Wednesday.
Carver James Cannon said it was a beautiful moment when he received drawings of the carving as a token of thanks from the children.
‘‘The entranceway is a metaphor for the transformation of the children that pass through the school.
‘‘Throughout the day, the sun passes over the gateway from the Tui side, passing over the Kaahu, another metaphor for the children’s learning each day.’’
Birds play an important role at the school which is evident with the displays of murals and carvings adorning the school grounds.
So when Cannon was asked to create the waharoa (gateway) he knew just what to do.
Cannon decided to carve a nesting Tui on one of the pou and a Kaahu on the other.
‘‘The nesting Tu¯ ı¯ represent the children that first enter the school. They’re being nurtured, educated and looked after, all snug in their nest.
‘‘On the right side we have the mighty Ka¯ hu, positioned in an energetic posture about to leap up off into the sunset representing the strong, educated more confident children as they leave the school.’’
‘‘The black colour coming up from the ground represents the realm of te Kore, the potential, the void, where the transition to red, represents te whai-ao, the glimmer at dawn and reminds us of the separation of Rangi and Papa.’’
Cannon said the ko¯whaiwhai called Mangopare(hammerhead shark) was used to represent a strong spirit and determination.
These life symbols were painted in white to represent the realm of te Ao, the realm of light, te ao ma¯ rama.
It took 160 hours to finish the project but the biggest hurdle was sourcing the Totara logs.
Principal Craig McGregor said the new entranceway recognises the importance of the native birds in the kaupapa (teaching) of the district and local marae.