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Contact Us Phone / 06 758 4685 | Email / tari@teatiawa.iwi.nz
Hine Raumati is inspired by the star Rehua, which heralds the arrival of summer. Strongly associated with this is Te Tai o Rehua, one of the names for the Tasman Sea. As part of this launch, we proudly introduce Hine Raumati to our Te Parawai o Rongo Kākahu collection, with a unique design and kōrero, available for a limited time only.
Each piece in this collection embraces the mata kupenga (fishing net mesh) design and manaia (guardian stylised figure) pattern, which were applied to the interior design in Ngāmotu House. This pattern represents the importance of the coastal environment to Te Atiawa.
Designed by Kerehama Waru Te Pū, the pattern is Mata Kupenga or fish net with two stylized manaia heads interlocking. This pattern was developed to demonstrate our close connection and relationship with the takutai (Taranaki Coast) and moana (ocean). It demonstrates the importance of seafood i.e. mātaitai (coastal foods) and kaimoana (ocean foods) as a main source of sustenance for our people. The design also represents the resources from the coastal shores such as stones and driftwood.
As a metaphor the Mata Kupenga design symbolises the need to work together, strength and resilience and whakapapa connections. It canvases the many hapū who reside along the coastal edges of Te Atiawa. In a Ngāti Te Whiti context, it acknowledges the fishing grounds and reefs of Ngāmotu (Ngāmotu Islands).
The stylised Manaia heads that link the Mata Kupenga design together represents the kaitiaki (guardians) of these lands and that we are duty bound to protecting the lands and sea from desecration. It also represents the taiao or the natural world bearing witness to all the changes that have occurred in Taranaki.
