Āhua Gallery

Kete Pikau (backpack) is used for carrying personal items.

Material: Harakeke (NZ Flax) & Shell

Measurements: 280mm x 380mm

Autui were customarily used as a pin for fastening cloaks and may be made from bone, stone, wood or shell. They may also have been worn through the ear as an earring or around the neck as a pendant. Autui are still commonly worn as pendants and earrings and as with most Māori personal adornments, are often passed down generationally.

Material: Koiwi (Beef Bone)

Measurements: 106mm x 9mm

Shark teeth were highly sought after to wear as a symbol of prestige for personal adornment. They were reflective of the mana of the shark itself.

Material: Pounamu (Kawakawa)

Measurements: 12mm x 25mm x 6mm

Shark teeth were highly sought after to wear as a symbol of prestige for personal adornment. They were reflective of the mana of the shark itself.

Material: Pounamu (Kawakawa)

Measurements: 12mm x 25mm x 6mm

This Pōtae is a contemporary hat woven with traditional Māori weaving methods.

Material: Harakeke & Metallic Foil

Circumference: 21 inches (53cm)

Pōria Kākā are leg rings crafted from bone or stone used to keep pet kākā (parrots) from flying away. The giant kaka parrot was used by the Māori to assist them during hunting. The bird was used as a decoy to capture other kaka parrots.

As with many Māori items the kaka ring was both used as a tool as well as an adornment.

Material: Pounamu (Kawakawa)

Measurements: 35mm x 25mm x 4mm

Toki earrings (or drop earrings) are designed to suspend from the bottom of the earlobes. The length varies from a centimetre or two, all the way to brushing the wearer's shoulders.

Material: Parāoa (Whalebone)

Measurements: 75mm x 15mm x 3mm

Toki earrings (or drop earrings) are designed to suspend from the bottom of the earlobes. The length varies from a centimetre or two, all the way to brushing the wearer's shoulders.

Material: Parāoa (Whalebone)

Measurements: 70mm x 9mm x 5mm

Māhē are sinker stones used to weigh down fishing nets.

Material: Otaua (Greywacke)

Measurements: 50mm x 37mm x 35mm

Kete Kai is a food gathering basket that is typical used to house food from the ocean or the land. Kete kai was used for every type of food that was gathered. You were not allowed to mix land food kete with the ocean food kete as it was tapu. The pattern on this kete kai is taki tahi and the holes are called puareare.

Material: Harakeke

Measurements: 360mm x 200mm

Poi piu are simple poi made from the hardened and curled piupiu strands of flax. Poi piu was used as percussion instruments played to the beat of Māori chanting.

Material: Harakeke & Muka

Measurements: 650mm Long

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: 260mm x 230mm