Wharenui’s carvings revealed
Ma¯ori gods, Ma¯ori achievements and topical issues depicted
The result is like
a storybook, with the interior of the wharenui to be read in
tukutuku (woven latticework), ko¯whaiwhai (painted panels)
and pou whakairo.
After 21⁄2 years of designing, painting and carving, the new pou, ko¯whaiwhai and tukutuku for EIT’s wharenui, Te Ara o Ta¯whaki, were officially revealed and blessed on February 12.
Over 150 people joined the dawn ceremony which by tradition started at 4am.
The marae was officially opened on October 29, 1994. Director Ma¯ori Tuhakia Keepa said when the wharenui was opened, it was always with a view of completing the interior.
In 2017, Tuhakia and Te Uranga¯ Waka’s head Puti Nuku jointly identified who might be included in the project. As the faculty’s first dean, recently appointed Adjunct Professor Joe Te Rito commissioned carvers, including Te Rangi Robin, to design and work on pou whakairo for the exterior of the wharenui and paepae (threshold) as well as other structures on the marae. Te Rangi was joined by Emanuel Dunn and Charles Paringatai.
The carvers were based at EIT’s IDEAschool, where — over the last 21⁄2 years — they created a total of 40 carved panels.
Traditionally, pou whakairo depict ancestors. However, because EIT is an educational institution, Te Rangi says a different concept has evolved.
Half the carvings represent Ma¯ori gods while others represent decades and achievements made for Ma¯ori during those times. Some also reflect current social issues relevant for the area as well as topics related to EIT.
The result is like a storybook, with the interior of the wharenui to be read in tukutuku (woven latticework), ko¯whaiwhai (painted panels) and pou whakairo.
IDEAschool lecturer Raewyn Paterson was the mastermind behind the contemporary take on the traditional tukutuku.
She had invited the whole community to join in the creation of the poutama and pouhine patterns made from thousands of wooden pieces. Cody Hollis, on the other hand, designed the ko¯whaiwhai or painted panels which embellish the ceiling of the wharenui.
Te U¯ranga Waka is also excited to announce that on February 28 the new and expanded contemporary learning spaces will be opened to the students.
They are replacing the former transportable buildings.
“There are two new buildings. One includes an art room where we will also hold traditional greenstone carving courses, and the other one has two classrooms separated by a removable wall that allows us to create a collaborative learning space,” says head of school Puti Nuku.