Whakairo Rākau - National Wood Carving School
Since the first intake at Te Wānanga Whakairo, many young Māori from iwi (tribes) throughout New Zealand have been taught the Māori practice of wood carving under the expert guidance of master carvers who were once trainees at the school. This tohu (qualification) is for three years and is 40 hours per week, 47 weeks of the year.
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Tekoteko - 4813HG
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.
Material: Tōtara
Measurements: 865mm x 210mm x 180mm
$4,200.00
Waka Tūpāpaku - CI3348
A waka tūpāpaku is a box used for containing the bones of a person of high rank after they had been exposed on the atamira platform, the flesh removed and the bones anointed with oil and red ochre, placed in a waka tūpāpaku and taken to a tribal buriel cave.
Material: Tōtara
Measurements: 580mm x 140mm x 110mm
$2,500.00
Waka Pungarehu - 2579SL
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
$10,500.00
Heru - 4958CF
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
$2,100.00