Āhua Gallery

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: 124mm x 18mm x 10mm

Heru were produced in varying shapes and sizes and were made from rākau (wood) and in some instance’s parāoa (whalebone). These combs were highly valued as personal heirlooms and were consequently passed down from one generation to the next, often acquiring their own personal names.

The combs were mostly decorative and held the pūtikitiki (top knot) in place. When a comb was broken, it was placed in a swamp or a sacred place for safe keeping because the head was the most sacred part of the body and therefore tapu (sacred).

Material: Tōtara

Measurements: 230mm x 90mm x 4mm

Tukutuku is a type of ornamental weaving using reed lattice work rather than threads. It is used mainly to adorn the inside walls of wharenui (meeting houses).

Material: Hardboard, Strapping & Acrylic Paint

Measurements: 350mm x 670mm

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

Material: Harakeke

Circumference: 21.5 inches