Āhua Gallery
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Uncompromising in quality and uniquely Māori
Āhua brings you a wide-ranging collection of taonga Māori from our Master carvers and weavers, alongside Māori artists and practitioners throughout Aotearoa.
New Zealand Māori Arts & Crafts dedicated Exhibition Gallery for all the taonga created within the Wananga. Beautiful works of arts from our National Schools and Graduated Artists are displayed for your veiwing pleasure. Visit Te Puia and participate in a Guided Experience - Tē Ra and you will get to visit the schools where all the action happens before visiting our very special Āhua Gallery.
Whats even better, you can request a tailor made taonga! Visit our Commission a Project at NZMACI. From sentimental whānau pieces to significant commissioned projects, NZMACI can design, create and deliver your taonga.
If you would like to know some more about our Tumu (Head of Schools) and Pouako (Tutors) please visit our Artists page.
Wahaika - Black w Bronze (ed. 1/6) - 2487FD
The literal meaning of wahaika is: ‘waha’ (mouth); and, ‘ika’ (fish). It was specifically named because of the gap on the side of the weapon. Wahaika were used in close hand-to-hand combat to defect blows, and to strike the chest, head and wrist. Many wahaika have a small figure carved on their side called a pūkaiora which represented a tribal war God that would guard over the warrior during battle. The whiti or small head at the end of the handle was also a form of guardian. Wahaika are usually made from native hardwoods or whalebone.
$7,500.00
Bronze Tekoteko - 2478FD
The tekoteko is a stylised representation of the main progenitor of a tribe and is the most focal point of the whare whakairo (carved tribal meeting house). They can be found – on traditional meeting houses – either at the highest point at the front apex of the roof or at the front central post. They can also be found at the base of the poutokomanawa (the main central ridge support post) of the house.
$18,000.00
Tokotoko - 2146TH
Tokotoko are used when speaking on the marae – by esteemed orators – to indicate the direction of a speaker’s kōrero (speech). They often have the whakapapa (genealogy) of the orator carved into them and these can also be referenced by the orator during his address.
Material: Rātā
Measurements: 970mm x 45mm x 35mm
$3,700.00
Kapeu - 4520IA
Kapeu are slender adornments with a slight bend at the bottom and were often worn as ear pendants. Kapeu were highly prized and a sign of high rank in Māori society. They are commonly also worn as neck pendants. As with many Māori personal adornments kapeu are often passed down generationally.
Material: Pounamu (Kawakawa)
Measurements: 86mm x 10mm x 6mm
$390.00
Kapeu - 4521IA
Kapeu are slender adornments with a slight bend at the bottom and were often worn as ear pendants. Kapeu were highly prized and a sign of high rank in Māori society. They are commonly also worn as neck pendants. As with many Māori personal adornments kapeu are often passed down generationally.
Material: Pounamu (Kawakawa)
Measurements: 107mm x 12mm x 7mm
$420.00
Kete Whakairo - 2440AM
Kete whakairo are woven flax bags of a finer quality than the general utilitarian kete. They are normally made from prepared strips of flax and/or kiekie, some of which have been dyed. Kete whakairo may also feature geometric designs.
Material: Harakeke & Muka
Measurements: 250mm x 180mm
$445.00
Rei Puta - 3529KH
The mark of a high Chief was one who wore the Rei Puta (whale tooth pendant), as the teeth of the Sperm Whale were highly prized because of their rarity. With actual whale teeth being such a rarity, it became common to fashion the tooth form from other materials.
Material: Onewa (NZ Greywacke)
Measurements: 115mm x 39mm x 24mm
$990.00
Kumete - 2855SL
Kumete or bowls were used for storing and serving food. They came in an assortment of sizes, depths and shapes, and were used in formal settings to impress high-standing manuhiri (visitors). Many kumete acquired personal names and were passed from one generation to another.
Material: Mataī
Measurements: 610mm x 200mm x 200mm
$8,500.00
Kete Whakairo - 5075ML
Kete whakairo are woven flax bags of a finer quality than the general utilitarian kete. They are normally made from prepared strips of flax and/or kiekie, some of which have been dyed. Kete whakairo may also feature geometric designs.
Material: Harakeke
Measurements: 330mm x 190mm
$430.00
Kete Whakairo - 5131ML
Kete whakairo are woven flax bags of a finer quality than the general utilitarian kete. They are normally made from prepared strips of flax and/or kiekie, some of which have been dyed. Kete whakairo may also feature geometric designs.
Material: Harakeke
Measurements: 280mm x 170mm
$390.00
Koruru - 4754TJ
In Māori carving there are three predominant designs for heads: the 'wheku' with its long eyes; the 'koruru' with its round eyes; and the 'ruru', which also has round eyes but with a point at the top. The different designs were used by carvers to illustrate the character of the subject they were carving. The long eyes of the wheku were often used to depict a squint or frown.
The wheku was commonly used in Māori carvings by some tribal areas and was also placed on the apex of the Māori meeting house to represent an eponymous ancestor.
Material: Tōtara
Measurements: 500mm x 250mm x 80mm
$2,200.00