Ko Wai Mātou

Combining the colours represents all the Hiringa Taketake.  The Koru pitau are formed in an inwards spiral to express the idea of a matapono of āhurutanga, protecting and nurturing one’s potential.  The outer patterns being pakati further expressing the protective and nurturing space.  An aspect of āhurutanga in the matakupenga pattern demonstrates Kotahitanga, as future generations are empowered.

In the pre-colonial days of our tupuna, our tohunga would travel Te Moana Nui a Kiwa and hui at various motu to wananga amongst each other, sharing knowledge that would ultimately be bought back to their people and be applied where applicable. Drawing inspiration from this, there are similarities that reflect respectful relationships and Wananga held in this space. The three pOhoro in a triangular form is a pattern called Hawaiki, it depicts the Polynesian triangle and the moana that connects us as a people. This pattern is to depict the network of agencies who will be forming respectful relationships in this space. Behind this pattern is the three kete of knowledge as each individual will have something to share from their kete that they would have acquired along their journey. Inside the Hawaiki pattern is a Manaia that acknowledges the mana that we each carry; it is placed upside down to acknowledge our tupuna who have paved the way for us to be here today. The outer pattern is a flow of pakati; it’s said that the pakati can be broken down to “pa” meaning fortified village and “kati” meaning to shut or close up. This brings forth the matapono of protection, or an element of kaitiakitanga, where we safeguard our taonga, in this case the taonga would be the respectful relationships.

Inspiration for this piece was drawn from the intensity of light; the centre is a Takarangi spiral. This pattern holds the separation story of Ranginui and Papatūānuku creating the first beacon of light at the centre of the spiral. The taniko pattern around it is a variation of the patiki which talks about that in which is hidden. The pattern depicts intense light that radiates far beyond its source and brings attention to all things hidden; reaching every corner of the space we will be working in. The outer patterns are Niho Taniwha; this pattern expresses how intensely the different organisations will be working with whānau.

As Papatūānuku is located in Rotorua the tiki is represented in the style of Te Arawa, which symbolises knowing who you are, and where you are, in relation to tenancy or settlement. This was inspired by how Pou Tiaki will wananga on how to navigate the Maori land courts and building on your land. The unaunahi on the Upoko of the tiki represents a sense of manaakitanga in one’s mind when creating safe spaces. The arero of the tiki carries patterns that bring strength to express what you think is a safe space as you wananga in this space. The outer pattern is the pakati, used to express the idea of being in a safe space.

Keeping the form of a Wheku (Upoko) but expressing it in the style of Ngāpuhi to demonstrate that you don’t have to be from the area to showcase kaitiakitanga. Behind the Wheku is a taniko pattern used to express the ngākau of this Wheku, showcasing the element of kaitiakitanga that protects the vulnerable as this space will be used to Wānanga with whānau about aspects of the system that they find intimidating. The Koru pitau behind the Wheku express the idea of potential as kuia and kaumātua will teach the younger generation certain skills to help them reconnect with themselves, nurturing their potential to grow.

In te ao Māori we have our own name for the idea of chakra points, we call them Hiringa Taketake. Developing the triangular shape to a diamond-like shape that cradles an eye, demonstrates a “third eye” Hiringa Taketake, or Whatu Manawa. The main pattern used is the unaunahi. The unaunahi reflects manaakitanga as it depicts a fish scale; the fish scale is the hard exterior that protects the soft interior of the fish in its natural habitat. In this space we are mindful that Pou Tiaki will be working on the hauora of whānau, the seen and unseen.

At the centre of this piece are two Manaia facing each other, becoming one at the pūmotomoto (crown Hiringa Taketake). This symbolises the knowledge shared between Pou Tiaki and whānau, acknowledging that we are one in the journey moving forward. The outer Manaia represent the different stages of growth as whānau wānanga through the phases of the Mauri Chakra Model. The outer koru pitau represents the future potential from whakapapa as a continuation of the stories our tupuna lived.

The tewhatewha is used to symbolise Tino Rangatiratanga or sovereignty as it portrays a time where we held authority over our own people. A time where whakapapa was valued in society and we knew who we were because we weren’t displaced. Pairing the tewhatewha with the Tino Rangatiratanga flag developing the flagpole as a simple tokotoko where the Upoko sits on top with the staff as the arero. The whakaaro behind this was to support the idea that this will be the space where you wananga about Tino Rangatiratanga and standing in one’s own mana.