At Te Takapū, students learn the revered tradition of carving pounamu (Nephrite-Jade/Greenstone), bone and stone. This tohu (qualification) is for two years and is approximately 40 hours per week, 47 weeks of the year.
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Flax was an important item in the Māori economy, and the skills associated with its preparation were highly prized. Before flax could be woven, the outer green layer was removed, and the inner fibres were soaked and pounded until soft. This Patu Muka (flax pounder) was a tool used in the process.
Material: Ōnewa (Greywacke)
Measurements: 236mm x 64mm x 64mm
Flax was an important item in the Māori economy, and the skills associated with its preparation were highly prized. Before flax could be woven, the outer green layer was removed, and the inner fibres were soaked and pounded until soft. This Patu Muka (flax pounder) was a tool used in the process.
Material: Ōnewa (Greywacke)
Measurements: 207mm x 50mm x 50mm
Flax was an important item in the Māori economy, and the skills associated with its preparation were highly prized. Before flax could be woven, the outer green layer was removed, and the inner fibres were soaked and pounded until soft. This Patu Muka (flax pounder) was a tool used in the process.
Material: Ōnewa (Greywacke)
Measurements: 213mm x 54mm x 44mm
Flax was an important item in the Māori economy, and the skills associated with its preparation were highly prized. Before flax could be woven, the outer green layer was removed, and the inner fibres were soaked and pounded until soft. This Patu Muka (flax pounder) was a tool used in the process.
Material: Ōnewa (Greywacke)
Measurements: 180mm x 80mm x 75mm
The mark of a high Chief was one who wore the Rei Puta (whale tooth pendant), as the teeth of the Sperm Whale were highly prized because of their rarity. With actual whale teeth being such a rarity, it became common to fashion the tooth form from other materials.
Material: Onewa (NZ Greywacke)
Measurements: 115mm x 39mm x 24mm
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. Autui are still commonly worn as pendants and earrings and as with most Māori personal adornments, are often passed down generationally.
Material: Paua Shell
Measurements: 110mm x 10mm
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. Autui are still commonly worn as pendants and earrings and as with most Māori personal adornments, are often passed down generationally.
Material: Paua Shell
Measurements: 102mm x 7mm
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: Onewa (NZ Greywacke)
Measurements: 140mm x 45mm x 35mm
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: Onewa (NZ Greywacke)
Measurements: 103mm x 23mm
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: Paua Shell
Measurements: 116mm x 13mm