Te Manu Ra’a o Rangiātea

Te Manu Ra’a o Rangiātea is a taonga (treasure) and a koha (gift) from tūpuna (ancestors) to us all, guided by Tihoti and the energies of Taputapuātea Marae, Rangiātea

It was agreed in discussion, that the kōhatu (river stone) Te Manu Ra’a o Rangiātea would provide a context to open up to Tapu (Sacred) and Noa (Mundane), allowing for engaging with tūpuna (ancestors).

This page relates to the exhibition of the project at Aotea Utanganui Pātea Museum. For the exhibtion at Fibre Gallery in Ōtautahi Christchurch, follow this link. For the page on the Kōhatu placed at Taputapuātea, click here.

Tau-aitū at Taputapuātea

If your work directly engages tūpuna, you must acknowledge tapu and noa – Albert Refiti

Ngati Ruanui Whakatau for Te Manu Ra’a o Rangiātea and Kōhatu Mauri

It was a great honour for the Kōhatu to receive a whakatau from tangata whenua Ngati Ruanui.

Tama spoke with great conviction for tangata whenua. Mihi whakatau ki waiata (speeches and song) came from either side.

Ataahua, beautiful ceremony connecting to the mauri (essential force) of the Kōhatu.

Hongi (exchange of breath) confirms connection with tangata whenua (people of the land, i.e. local Māori). Ngati Ruanui are descendants of Turi and Rongirongo and those who travelled with them on the Aotea waka, from Rangiātea to Aotearoa.

Te Manu Ra’a o Rangiātea in Aotea Utanganui Pātea Museum

The whariki (mat) is woven by Kim Kahu. The whakairo (carvings) of the entrance area formed an honourable backdrop.

Kōhatu Mauri

Extremely grateful to Ngati Ruanui, the community and the museum for this opportunity to present the mahi.

Sound: radar activated soundscape

The atmosphere of Taputapuātea Rangiātea is different from inside museums, so I made a sound track to amplify some of the energies I had sensed. The whole exhibition is credited to me and Whānau (extended family). Acknowledgements and thanks to those who directly touched the project: Kohana Clothier, Chris and John Stephens, Kim Kahu, John Christini, Josiah Jordan, Tihoti, Kawaihululani, Clothier Whānau, Aotea Utanganui Pātea staff, Thomas Ashcraft, CERN, NASA, ESA, Mark Williamson, Ngā Tohorā o Hitiaurevareva me Hawai’i, Ngā Otaha, Ngā Mokomoko me Tuna o Rangiātea ki Huahine, Ngā Manu me Ngahere o Aotearoa, Ngā Whetu ki Te Rā me Marama, Ngā Tupuna.

Taputapuātea

The image above shows the main marae at centre, above it is Hauviri (the marae for the investiture of the Tamatoa dynasty), and at top right on the edge of the sea is Opu-teina, the navigator marae. This link takes you to more on the project, from pages related to my PhD. Te Manu Ra’a o Ra’iātea was the first exhibition post PhD, the show at Pātea is the second.