Dawn ceremony held to unveil Tītokorangi Pou Whenua
25 June 2022
Dawn ceremony held to unveil Tītokorangi Pou Whenua
In partnership with CNI Iwi Holdings Ltd, Rotorua Lakes Council, and Kānoa - Regional Economic Development & Investment Unit, this morning Ngā Hapū e Toru o Ngāti Whakaue (Ngāti Hurungaterangi, Ngāti Taeotu, Ngāti Te Kahu) led the unveiling of four pou whenua at Tītokorangi in Rotorua.
Officiating tohunga from Ngā Hapū e Toru conducted the dawn ceremony.
The installation of the pou, which form part of the Whakarewarewa Forest Development Project, provides the ability to share the whakapapa, genealogical histories of Ngā Hapū e Toru o Ngāti Whakaue, the tribal grouping who are the tangata whenua of Tītokorangi.
Ngā Hapū e Toru trustee, Hokimatemai Kahukiwa, explained that whakapapa ties the three hapū to the land. The pou whenua represent their tūpuna and their descent from Tuteata who held mana over Tītokorangi.
Rotorua Mayor, Steve Chadwick says “This morning’s ceremony was another example of what can be achieved when we work in partnership. We can always achieve so much more together than we can apart. And what a significant weekend to unveil these exceptional pieces - as we mark the rising of Matariki – a time to remember those passed, and to gather with whānau and community to reflect and connect.
“I commend and thank the carvers for the time and effort they have put into creating the pou whenua. They are a beautiful way to welcome manuhiri to the forest and to share some of the history of this special place.”
Kānoa – RDU Director of Regional Economic Development, Portia McKenzie says “The pou whenua are a stunning addition to the magnificent Whakarewarewa Forest, both beautiful and meaningful of their own accord and an additional draw for visitors to the region. The Whakarewarewa Forest Development Project is a great example of a community working as one to generate benefits for the region.”
Located at the beginning of Tītokorangi Drive, the first pou to be unveiled was Tuteata, carved by Grant Hamarama Smith Marunui (Lead Carver) - Ngāti Hurungaterangi, Ngāti Te Kahu, Ngāti Rangiteaorere, Ngāti Rongomai, Ngāti Manawa and Ngāti Rangitāne, and carvers Kawana Waititi – Te Whānau-a-Apanui, and Haami Te Aho – Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Kahungunu.
This Kūwaha (doorway) represents Tuteata and his wife Hapuriri. Tuteata was the great grandson of Rangitihi. Rangitihi was the father of Ngā Pū Manawa e Waru – eight key ancestors of Te Arawa.
This Kūwaha is carved with wood from the Tōtara tree. The spiral pattern you can see is the korurangi, or Maui. This shape is similar to a thumbprint, and is a symbol of the tangata whenua (indigenous people) and their connection to their ancestors. The descendants of Tuteata and Hapuriri are shown on each side.
This area was settled by ancestors who traversed the oceans from their homeland in Hawaiki on the Te Arawa waka. These lands eventually became part of the realm of Tuteata.
The whakapapa (geneological connections) to this land come from Tuteata (grandson of Rātōrua, the eldest son of Rangitihi) and Hapuriri (who was gifted lands by her brother Uenukukōpako). Among their descendants are the people of Ngāti Hurungaterangi, Ngāti Taeotu and Ngāti Te Kahu, the tangata whenua of this land. Pou representing these hapū now stand further down Tītokorangi Drive. These hapū held this land in traditional ways of mana, ancestry, bravery and continuous occupation.
Tītokorangi Drive is named after the pā that sits on the hills above, in the forest to the east.
The large building at the end of Tītokorangi Drive at Scion is named Te Whare Nui o Tuteata – The great house of Tuteata. This name was gifted by the hapū to acknowledge the deeds of Tuteata.
The following three pou were unveiled outside the Redwoods Visitor Centre.
Hurungaterangi was carved by Grant Hamarama Smith Marunui - Ngāti Hurungaterangi, Ngāti Te Kahu, Ngāti Rangiteaorere, Ngāti Rongomai, Ngāti Manawa and Ngāti Rangitāne.
Hurungaterangi is the ancestor of Ngāti Hurungaterangi. His wife Whaingārangi is depicted on his body as a manaia figure.
Whaingārangi is descended from Tuteata and inherited these lands from her ancestors, Tuteata and Hapuriri.
Hurungaterangi was a warrior who is shown here holding a wahaika (type of weapon). This pou shows the take toa – rights to land that are strengthened through battle. The patterns around Hurungaterangi tell the story of how he avenged the death of his father, Whatumairangi. The background pattern is Makawe, a celestial being who led Hurungaterangi. You can also see the shape of a Tōrea, the bird that also guided him.
On this pou you can see the descendants of Hurungaterangi and Whaingārangi. They cultivated this area and the land had many different types of food. When they were working the land in the gardens, these families were known as Ngāti Whaingārangi.
Taeotu was carved by Shannon Wafer – Āti Awa, Taranaki, Ngā Puhi, and Grant Hamarama Smith Marunui - Ngāti Hurungaterangi, Ngāti Te Kahu, Ngāti Rangiteaorere, Ngāti Rongomai, Ngāti Manawa and Ngāti Rangitāne.
The wives of Taeotu, Paretuhi and Te Pū, are shown at the top of this carving. Ngāti Taeotu is the hapū that come from Taeotu and Paretuhi.
The pou illustrates the prowess of Taeotu as a warrior. He is holding a kotiate (weapon) which in Māori terms represents take toa – bravery, and rights to land that are strengthened through battle and the power to make war or peace.
Taeotu, Hurungaterangi and others fought a number of battles such as Te Puia (an offensive battle), Paetawa, Pareuru, Te Wairoa II (defensive battles) and Motuwhanake (a revenge battle). Before each battle a tuahu (karakia/incantation) was recited by tohunga to prepare and protect them.
Success in these battles led to ‘take tupuna’ (naming of places), ‘take toa’ (bravery in battle), ‘pou rahui’ (placing landmarks) and ‘ahi kāroa’ (continuous occupation).
From Taeotu there descended a number of fighting chiefs (rangatira – Te Pukuatua, Te Iwingaro, Mataiawhea and Te Māramarama) who continued to live on the whenua and defend their lands against invaders.
Te Kahu was carved by Grant Hamarama Smith Marunui - Ngāti Hurungaterangi, Ngāti Te Hahu, Ngāti Rangiteaorere, Ngāti Rongomai, Ngāti Manawa and Ngāti Rangitāne.
Te Kahu is the ancestor of Ngāti Te Kahu. Five generations after Tuteata and Hapuriri, their descendant Te Kahu was born.
Te Kahu had a husband named Kōhuru of Ngāti Tūmatawera. Te Kahu and Kohuru lived in the area around the Pohutu Geyser at Whakarewarewa. The uri (descendants) of Te Kahu also lived to the south and west of here, at Kaiteriria on the shores of Lake Rotokākahi, Pākaraka near Tumunui, Ōwhatiura and Ngāpuna - where many of her descendants still live today.
This pou reflects the nurturing from this land which was rich in birdlife, plants and food. There are waewae tōrea patterns, which represent the bird in flight, as well as ritorito which represent the shoots of harakeke (flax bushes).
The background behind Te Kahu reflects the ngāwhā and waiariki, the geothermal features of this area which were used for bathing, preparing food and making garments. This shows the special connection between these unique lands and the tangata whenua.
Background
The Whakarewarewa Forest Development has received a $7.09million Government investment managed by Kānoa - RDU, alongside $7.5million from Rotorua Lakes Council, to enhance the forest amenity and improve the experience for all. This is a collaborative project between CNI Iwi Holdings Limited and Rotorua Lakes Council, with the guidance of the tangata whenua.
For more information on the Whakarewarewa Forest Development project visit visiontoaction.nz.