Āhua Gallery

The pūkaea was the largest of the Māori trumpets, ranging in size from one metre (3.2ft) to over two meters (3.4ft) in length. They were made in two pieces and bound together with the roots of the kiekie (climber). Many pūkaea were carved and they often belonged to the chief of a tribe. They were typically used to call the tribe together.

Material: Matai

Measurements: 600mm x 70mm x 60mm

Mere Poumanu (hand weapon) like the patu, were often sharp at their forward edge and were used with thrusting, jabbing, and swinging blows. Māori weapons are notable for their fine sculptural form and were designed for close hand-to-hand combat. No other stone-age war implements surpassed them in deadly effectiveness. The mere pounamu is the most valuable of the Māori shorthand weapons.

Material: Pounamu (Kawakawa).

Measurements: 435mm x 97mm x 20mm

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

Often the bailer (tatā, tīheru or tā wai) was beautifully carved and some were given a name. In canoe traditions, tribal members still name the bailers used on the original voyaging canoes from Polynesia.

Material: Tōtara

Measurements: 180mm x 300mm x 50mm

The Waka Pungarehu (Ash Urn) has two carved tekoteko (statues) positioned at the ends of the waka pungarehu which are carved in the traditional style of whakapakoko, resembling preserved corpses. The surface is intricately adorned with the raperape design, symbolizing the continuous cycle of life and the evolution of death. The pakati and haehae techniques are skillfully carved to enhance the entire waka pungarehu, with the distinctive pakati design known as niho kuri (dog’s teeth) adding a unique touch. The pakati designs feature iroiro (maggots) motifs, symbolizing the natural process of decomposition when a human body returns to the earth.

Material: Tōtara

Measurements: 450mm x 110mm x 90mm