Āhua Gallery

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.

In Māori whakapapa (genealogy), all Māori flutes come to us from Hine Raukatauri, the daughter of Tānemahuta, the atua (spiritual entity) of the forest and birds. Hine Raukatauri is best known as the atua of flute music. She loved her flute so much that she chose to live inside it. She is now personified as the case moth that hangs from branches of trees in a long slender cocoon. This case moth cocoon is where the pūtōrino gets its shape from.

Material: Mataī (NZ Native)

Measurements: 400mm x 70mm x 50mm

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: 1050mm x 45mm x 45mm

Customarily wakahuia were vessels used for housing valuable feathers of the revered native huia bird. Following the extinction of the huia, wakahuia are now more commonly used to retain the treasured heirlooms of its owner such as hei tiki and other adornments. Wakahuia were originally designed to be suspended from the rafters of a dwelling and therefore had as much carving on the lower surface as the top. Wakahuia were highly prized and carefully treasured as they were passed between generations as heirlooms. They were often gifted between whānau, hapū and individuals to acknowledge relationships, friendships, and other significant social events.

Material: Tōtara

Measurements: 345mm x 110mm x 90mm