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Waharoa: Hawaiki

Kaiwhakairo: Sunnah Thompson (Te Waiohua, Te Kawerau a Maki)
Kaiarahi Tikanga: Paraone Tai Tin & General Wihongi

Papatūānuku and Ranginui:

This deity is well known for attaining the sacred knowledge from the uppermost heaven known as, Tikitiki o rangi where the supreme being resides. At this time Tāne was soon to be acknowledged for leading and coordinating his siblings to fashion the first human being. Tāne also provides rākau/wood to make waka hourua/double hulled canoe and other important resources.

Tāwhirimātea (Facing Out - Matau/Right):

This pure deity was known for his absolute love and determination to keep his parents together, against the wishes of all his siblings. Although he did not succeed, Tāwhirimātea challenged them all and won most of his engagements. As well as Tāne and Tangaroa who provide the many sacred resources that were highly depended on, Tāwhirimātea also provides the element of wind which assisted the tohunga/expert, rangatira/leader, and crew as they traversed the oceans of Tangaroa in the vessel made from Tāne.

Tangaroa (Facing Out - Maui/Left):

This great deity of the oceans provides resources for mankind to live and prosper. He also ensures the balance of the environment’s life which is maintained through his interaction with the lunar energies. Tangaroa is the universal connection for the Polynesian navigators of open sea voyaging canoes.

Rua i Te Pukenga (Head):

This sacred being along with others of its kind, holds a very important role for mankind. It is their role to ensure the potential of innate talent is connected with each individual.

Manaia Wahine & Manaia Tāne (Bodies): Both Manaia bodies connect to Rua i Te Pukenga’s head to further promote the intrinsic makeup, significant to Māori. This visual concept highlights the natural importance of balance between both female and male energy, whilst growing their potential in various kaupapa.

Raukura Mā (White Feather) & Raukura Kākariki (Green Feather): These two symbols held by each manaia pay homage to both native and introduced birdlife and trees of this particular isthmus. Flight cycles of birds were watched carefully by navigators who were able to effectively use that information with their own knowledge when travelling the oceans of the world.

Ohomatakamokamo:

The reputation of this ancestor is that of a high learner of esoteric practices of the ancient ones. One version of whakapapa denotes him to be a sibling of Ohomairangi and Ohowhakataretare. This particular whakapapa gives a direct reference to the Iwi called Ngā Oho.

Ohomatakerepo:

According to Te Waiōhua history, Ohomatakerepo and her husband Ohomatakamokamo lived happily together until her death in a house fire. Unfortunately, they couldn’t have children.

Manaia (Facing Out Matau/Right):

This guardian figure represents the sun element Tamaaukaea and his lore. This star is a main environmental reading compass when voyaging the open seas. The māramataka/calendar Māori enabled the crew to store different types of food that were kept perfectly preserved for long voyages. The raparapa represents the 12 months of the Māori calendar. (Pīpiri to Haratua)

Manaia (Facing Out Maui/Left):

This guardian figure represents the moon element, Hinearoko and her lore. This star is a main environmental reading compass when voyaging the open moana. The maramataka Māori enabled the crew to store different types of food that were kept perfectly preserved for long voyages. The raparapa would represent the 12 month of the Māori calendar. (Pīpiri to Haratua)

Poutoko (Facing Out Matau/Right):

This is the great navigator of Tainui waka, Hapekitūārangi who travelled from the Pacific by Whai to Aotearoa after being left behind by his crew. He actually arrived in the Tāmaki isthmus before the Tainui waka did – the tribe Te Waiōhua descends from this eponymous ancestor. The shape of both Amo demonstrate the hull of Waka Hourua, the main vessel used when travelling the open ocean.

The koru design represents the waves of the ocean as well as the mana of mātauranga/knowledge each Tohunga/expert navigator possesses.

Poutoko (Facing Out Maui/Left):

This is the great navigator of Te Arawa Waka, Ngātoroirangi. He was the first to claim naming rights to this area despite the efforts of Hoturoa rangatira of Tainui Waka. Both Ngātoroirangi and Hapekitūārangi affiliate to the Ngā Oho tribe.

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