HE KORERO MO TE WHARE WHAKAIRO

Te Tumu Herenga Waka is in its symbolic context a traditional whare nui. The form of the house symbolises a human body; the maihi (barge boards) representing the outstretched arms; the tahuhu (ridge pole) representing the backbone; the heke (rafters) representing the ribs and so on. Large ornately carved houses of this kind are a feature of what have been variously termed as the "Classic Maori" or the "Puawaitanga" period of Maori culture (which was observed first hand by Captain Cook). The symbolism and ideas about the space inside Maori houses has a great antiquity, probably as old as Maori culture itself; according to both Maori oral tradition and the archaeological record. Te Tumu Herenga Waka carries on these fundamental concepts.

Yet in other ways Te Tumu Herenga Waka differs from other whare nui, due largely to the fact that it is on a university marae and also because of the new technology that has been employed by master carver Takirirangi Smith and tukutuku exponent Con Te Rata Jones. For example the whare does not represent one particular tupuna as do many other whare. The name 'Te Tumu Herenga Waka" means "the anchorage post of canoes". This name was chosen because there are students from many different iwi and waka at the university. In the house itself a range of modern building materials has been utilised. In the tukutuku panels leather was substituted for pingao and kiekie. Red ochre has been replaced by paint.

Large carved houses like Te Tumu Herenga Waka are not merely vestiges of a by-gone age, rather they are one product of a dynamic and thriving Maori art and cultural tradition that in no small way confirms the strength of taha Maori.

Rob Taylor working on the heke

NGA TUPUNA

This next section of the booklet is devoted to explanations about the significance of the tupuna depicted on the poupou of Te Tumu Herenga Waka. (See accompanying plan for the location of these inside the whare). The explanations were written by the students and staff of the Maori Studies Department and where possible, by the descendants or members of the iwi of the tupuna depicted. It is acknowledged however that the korero written here is not definitive and in most cases only presents one of many possible interpretations of events. It is our fervent hope, here at Te Tari Maori o te Whare Wananga o Wikitoria that this section of the booklet will stimulate others to research, discuss and record the events in the life of their iwi.

"E kore au e ngaro, he kakano i ruruia mai i Rangiatea."