Motatau: Tu Te Ao Tu Te Po
Motatau logo – An explanation
The logo and motto were developed out of a wananga held at the marae on Feb 20th/ 21st, 2004.
The maunga was chosen as it is our landmark and can be seen from miles distant. Its solid appearance is because it relates to the motto ‘Tu te ao, tu te po’ which literally means ‘standing day and night’ or the natural environment prevails but man perishes. (ie. we are but guardians in this world).
The twin peaks of Motatau are depicted with the representation of ‘te wairua tangata’ (the human spirit) going into the entrance on Motatau maunga which is our entry to the path to ‘te rerenga wairua’ or our short cut to Cape Reinga, our departure point to Hawaiki. Hence how Motatau received its name ‘Te tatau ki te Reinga’ – the doorway into the world of spirits.
The koru shape coming down from the peak and into the centre of the maunga is the pathway. The disappearing dark line beneath the maunga also denotes the spirit world and our future with their unknown qualities.The light shade of colour on the left and the darker on the right also represent the journey into the underworld.The colours also represent the pukeko.
Page last updated 1 Dec 2008
