Ngā Mahi Tukutuku

CONTEMPORARY PANELS (Side Walls)

Papatuanuku "Ko Papatuanuku te whaea, te whenua, te onetapu." I am Papatuanuku, the earth mother. It is I that gives life to the land and to you through the deeds of my children, I have given life to you. I am the land, the mountains, the valleys, the soil. I am the mother of Maoridom. I am Papa, strong and proud. I was separated from my husband Rangi, not of my own doing. I am Papa.
	Tangaroa "Ko au te moana, ko te moana ko au." I am at peace. My waves are calm. My children play, swim and survive in my waters. Papaka (Crab), koura (Crayfish), ika (fish), tio (oyster), paua (abalone) they are all here. Tawhirimatea is busy blowing his four winds or is he resting...waiting to once again use me to attack Tanemahuta...but for now all is well and calm. Toia mai Tainui waka!
Tanemahuta "Mai i te pu ki te kauru he akoranga." For it was I who took up the challenge and separated my parents so we could live in light and that light would give life and colour so we may adorn our mother, Papatuanuku. Grow in the forest, my forest, Te Wao nui a Tane. My roots firmly implanted in Papatuanuku, he kakano e kore e ngaro. My arms outstretched reaching to my father Ranginui. I am Tane of many names for many reasons.
	Ranginui "Ko Ranginui te atua matua, ka tuku taku ihi he atua, ka tuku taku ihi he tangata." The many stars adorn me. Puanga, Rehua, Takurua. They are here. But Matariki only comes once and the same time each year. The sign of the Maori new year. Ka kitea a Matariki kua maoka te hinu. Then there is Meretuahiahi and their children who gather round. For they are me, Ranginui, Sky Father and ruler of the skies day and night.
Te Rerenga Wairua "Papaki tu ana nga tai i te rerenga wairua." My journey is already marked out for me. As I depart from my physical being, I begin my pathway to Te Reinga. Who shall join with me on this spiritual trip. Ko wai ka hua, ko wai ka tohu. Along the many roads we meet and one by one we climb the hill and bid farewell. Jump. Leap. Down I go. Down we go to Hinenuitepo who awaits us in the after life.
	Tamanuitera "Ko te hirenga, te hihi, te hihiri." I will be first. I will come at dawn. I will wake everyone up. E oho, kua ora te ra. I am energy, I am light, I am heat, I am power, I am bright. Give life to the whare and everyone within so they may go forth and be alive.

TRADITIONAL PANELS (Front and Back Walls)

Poutama Tribal traditions sat that this pattern represents the steps upon which Tane o te wananga ascended to the topmost realm in his quest for superior knowledge and religion. This is also a well known pattern indicating the stairway to heaven - "Te arawhata ki te runga rawa." Upon death the spirit would start on its journey to the heavens.
	Patikitiki The flounder, the symbol of favourable conditions and harvests, good fortune and abundance. It is said that when the stars in the sky are in a formation, that is the right time to go and catch flounders. Ma muri ka tika a mua, ma mua ka tika a muri. If the back of the marae is right, it will complement the front and vice versa.
Roimata Takitoru This is a combination of roimata, the tears that flow, the aroha for those who have passed on, the aroha for the work that has been put into the building of this marae. The takitoru pattern represented communication, identification and personal relationships.
	Purapura whetu "Tini whetu ki te rangi, ko Ngati Raukawa ki te whenua." Many stars cover the sky as Ngati Raukawa covers the earth. This is a very simple pattern, but effective in representing many of our whanau, tupuna, who have passed on over the years. Te hunga kua wheturangihia. Those who have turned into stars, glimmering in the night sky watching over us. It can also mean the many people of a hapu. The multitude of people.
Kaokao (Single and Double) The symbol of strength and unity. Ehara taku toa I te toa takitahi engari he toa takimano. My strength does not come from me alone but from many. The aroha of the people who have come forward in many ways to contribute to the building of this marae.

Reference: Kereama, Te Pikikotuku. (1996). Taumata o te ra marae Opening Booklet. Graphic Press & Packaging Ltd, Levin.

Page last updated 13 Jan 2010