Āhua Gallery

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: 66mm x 14mm x 4mm

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.

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.

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 & Commercial dyes

Measurements: 360mm x 220mm

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, Commercial dyes, & Pāua Shell

Measurements:380mm x 110mm

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 & Gold Foil

Measurements: 420mm x 250mm x 60mm

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: 190mm x 300mm

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: 190mm x 270mm

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

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

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.

Material: Kawakawa (NZ Jade)

Measurements: 113mm x 65mm x 22mm

Aurei 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. Aurei 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: 157mm x 22mm x 8mm