Taonga

Te Tūāhu is a toki pakohe (adze). Te Tūāhu represents WHĀNAU PAKOHE at Victory Primary School and the connection to our MAUNGA (mountain). Maungatapu is the mountain in our school pepeha and pakohe is a precious stone particularly associated with our region. Our toki pakohe was created by kaiwhakairo, Layton Robertson.

The name of the toki pakohe ‘Te Tūāhu’, is in reference to Matua Hautere’s altar from a local pūrākau. The pakohe-made altar of Matua Hautere lays on Maungatapu and the whatu (stone) was sourced from here to form our toki pakohe. The toki is a symbol of strength, security, and steadfastness, just like Maungatapu, which is unchanging and unwavering. 

Hara mai ki te ngutu o hine. Hara mai ki te waha o hōanga. Kani orooro, kau orooro. Kia Matā, Matākoi e. Come to the lips of Hine (hōanga) the goddess. Come to the grinding mouth. To be grinded, to be grinded. To be sharp, a sharpened blade. Whano, whano! Haramai te toki pakohe! Haumi ē! Hui ē! Tāiki ē!

The Pakohe that the Toki is made from is called Marutea and it comes from the Maitahi Awa. It was flaked (whakarehu) with hammerstones from Te Hoiere Awa. These are a type of very hard Garnet stone and they were a valuable taonga often traded. It was then hammer dressed (paopao) with smaller hammerstones, then rubbed on coarse hoanga (sandstone) and finished with fine hoanga. 

The Kakau (handle) is made from Kōwhai. This rākau produces the correct angled branches from which to make a kakau. The Taura (rope) is made from the fibre of the tī kōuka tree (Cabbage tree). This fibre is a little bit stronger than Harakeke and was often used for binding. The plait is called Rauru (five plait) and the bind is known as Heketua (it's an old word used for binding). The heketua binding also strengthens the kakau.

We are so thankful to Layton for the time and effort he put into this taonga and to Naomi Aporo-Manihera for capturing Te Tūāhu and our tamariki so beautifully on camera. Ngā mihi nunui ki a kōrua mō ōu mahi toi mīharo! 

Te Ika Kuratea ia a mere pounamu. Te Ika Kuratea represents WHĀNAU POUNAMU at Victory Primary School and the connection to our AWA (river). Maitahi is the awa in our school pepeha and pounamu is a precious stone associated with our rivers. Our mere pounamu was created by kaiwhakairo, Fayne Robinson.

The name of our mere pounamu ‘Te Ika Kuratea’, refers to the story of Ngāhue’s travels. The pounamu was at times known as Te Ika-o-Ngāhue (Ngahue’s fish), thus “Te Ika”. Pounamu is obtained from the awa and this is where our mere came from before it was carved. “Kuratea” refers to the red flecks in this particular piece of pounamu. Maitahi flows into Te Aorere moana, signifying its abundance to nourish the land. As guardians of these waters, we regard the mere pounamu as a representation of its life force. Ahakoa he iti, he pounamu! Although it is small, it is precious.

Te Maru Awatea is a hieke (rain cape). Te Maru Awatea represents WHĀNAU WHARARIKI at Victory Primary School and the connection to our WHENUA (land). Wharariki is a type of flax and the hieke was woven by local artist, Missy Broughton. 

The name of the hīeke ‘Te Maru Awatea’ is the day at its lightest, where the land is exposed. Those that occupy the land encapsulate the dwelling of the eight iwi in Te Tauihu, and they are the cloak of protection of Maungatapu, Maitahi, Aorere and Victory Primary School through the teachings of Te Ao Māori.

“Ki te kotahi te kākaho, ka whati; ki te kāpuia, e kore e whati”. If a reed stands alone it can be broken; if it stands in a group, it cannot. When we stand alone we are vulnerable, but together we are unbreakable.

Kākahu Maori are traditionally made from natural materials and this hieke was made using a traditional weaving technique called ‘whatu’ using contemporary materials such as macrame cord and string. The hukahuka or curled and shredded layers of harakeke create the body of the hieke. The flax comes all the way from a place called Taita in lower Hutt area.

We are so thankful to Missy for her beautiful work and also to Naomi Aporo-Manihera for her amazing photography of our hieke and our tamariki. Ngā mihi maioha ki a kōrua mō ōu mahi toi ataahua!

Rongo Taketake is a pūtātara (conch shell trumpet). Rongo Taketake represents WHĀNAU PŪTĀTARA at Victory Primary School and the connection to our MOANA (sea). Te Aorere is the sea that we connect to in our school pepeha and a pūtātara is a shell that comes from the moana. Our pūtātara was created by local artist, Brian Flintoff.

Hinekirikiri (Gravel Maiden, Atua Rei of Tidal zone) is the ‘Rongo Taketake’, the peacekeeper, between the children of Hinemoana and the children of Papatūānuku. Hinekirikiri protects Papatūānuku from the constant waves of assault from Hine Moana. ‘Rongo Taketake’ means peace established, bridging the waters (Maitahi and Aorere), and the land (Maungatapu and the eight Mana Whenua) through the conch shell and wooden mouthpiece. The bridging of these bring forth life and purpose for Victory Primary School.

Kei te pō te tīmatatanga o te waiatatanga mai a te atua, ko te ao, ko te ao mārama, ko te ao tūroa. It was in the night where the gods sang the world into existence, from the world of light into the world of music. Ko tātou te moana, Ko te moana ko tātou. We are the sea, the sea is us.

Rongo Taketake has a female, flute voice. The materials combine the conch shell of Tangaroa, the sea god, with a mouthpiece of wood from the forest god, Tāne Mahuta, joining the families of these gods in peace. Recycled Matai was used because of its straight grain and sound qualities has been treated with a special organic oil.

Pūtātara were used to communicate over distances. They were made from conch or triton shells, and made a loud sound which carried long distances when blown. This made them great for signaling others or sounding alarms quickly and effectively. They were treasured as heirlooms by chiefly families.

We are hugely appreciative of Matua Brian and the skilful craftsmanship he put into this taonga and very thankful to Naomi Aporo-Manihera for photographing Rongo Taketake and our tamariki so beautifully at Cable Bay. Ka nui te mihi maioha ki a kōrua mō ōu mahi toi rerehua!