At last, the Aoraki Korowai painting is finished.

Tohorā & Aoraki Korowai Painting

Art Extension Collaborative Artworks

The Korowai that were designed for school incorporate, and use, traditional Māori iconography and symbolism. Past Year 8 Heaton students helped in the flax and feather preparation for these cloaks. One is designed for boys, and may be considered the male Korowai. The other is designed for girls, and may be thought of as the female Korowai. The male Korowai features Aoraki and represents the land and sky. The female Korowai features Tohorā, a whale, and represents water and the sky.

We have designed two paintings in response to the Korowai. The male painting will be called Ko mātou te whenua “ We are the land”. The female painting will be called Ko mātou te wai “ We are the water".

These titles were inspired by an interview with Stan Walker about his song 'New Takeover' in which he explained "we do not own the land, we are the land". If we do not look after our world, we are not looking after our people, us.

Many of you will have watched the amazing documentary 'The Blue Planet' that highlights the many incredible creatures that live in our seas and how important they and the water they live in are to ALL of us.

David Attenborough said “We are all much more intimately connected with the oceans than you imagine… Our lives, our food, our air, all these things are connected with the oceans and if the oceans become barren and sterile, it is the end of humanity, quite literally.”

KAITIAKITANGA

In our painting, you will see that the girls are dressed in school uniform and Kapa haka uniform. Their symbolic hand movements represent paddling and water. The models were Kate and Vera. The Whale, Tohorā, links the painting to the Korowai. The Tohorā whale fluke represents strength, intelligence, navigation through life and protection.

The mountains behind are the Kaikouras (to eat crayfish). Maui placed his foot on the Kaikoura peninsula to steady himself while he 'fished up' the North Island. Kaikoura is also within the Southern Hemisphere Whale Sanctuary. The dolphin also represents protection.

There is an Albatross, Tohroā flying in the sky. Their feathers, Titapu, are a symbol of peace

The Pukeko is both noble and mischievous. The large sun rises at the dawn of the day. The Green and Gold are the colours of Heaton. The work was started and completed in 2017.

The words around the painting are:-

• Ko mātou te wai /We are the water

• Kirituna /Resilience

• He wai ora / living water/healthy water

• Awa River/Stream

• Wahine, /women

• Kaha /strong

• Rā /sun

• Wai /water

• Tohorā /whale

• Rangi /sky/heaven

• Mana /status/power

• Moana /sea

• Te Tai Ao /Natural Environment

• Waka /boat

We hope this work will inspire you to take care of our Blue Planet.

Ko au te awa, ko te awa ko au - I am the river, and the river is me

Olivia - Room 7, Kate - Room 8, Amy - Room 8, Oliver - Room 9, Vera 1- Room 4, CJ - Room 9, Viswa - Room 4, Heather - Room 14, Leia - Room 10 and Maddy - Room 4

This work was selected to be displayed at The Arts Centre Christchurch as part of their ‘To Ōtautahi with Love Exhibition’ in 2018. It was printed onto a weatherproof panel which is now on display at Heaton.

After some delay the brother painting Aoraki,  “We are the Land” was finally completed in 2020. A truly collaborative work including several Art Extension groups.

The model for this was the 2017 Heaton Kaitataki Kase . He is dressed in the school PE kit. His hands are in the position that symbolises Aoraki.

The path represents the journey we are on. Aoraki is the mountain we climb, aspire to.

Whilst the Tohorā painting is set during the daytime, the Aoraki painting is set during the night. Matariki can be seen in the sky. Also in the sky is a Kea. The name of this mountain parrot sounds like its call – ‘keee aaa’. The Waitaha tribe believed that kea were kaitiaki (guardians) of their people. Manu Whetu relates to the Star Compass.

The Mount Cook Daisy is the world’s largest buttercup. This beautiful plant survives in the harshest of conditions.

The Kiwi is, of course, our most famous bird of the land.

The words around the painting are:-

• Kia tuohu koe me he mauka teitei, ko Aoraki anake –

If you must bow your head, then let it be to a lofty mountain

• Aoraki - cloud piercer

• Kee-ee-aa-aa - the sound of the Kea

• Matariki - Pleiades

• Awa kopaka - Glacier

• Manu Whetu - Bird Star - Manu – the waka as a bird flying across the ocean

• Ko te whenua ko mātou - The land is us

Aoraki finished, at last!

Students who worked on this painting ( I hope I haven't missed anyone)

2017 Oliver

2018 Sophia, Rata, Alfie, Zoe, Luke, Cleo, Amy, Mikayla, Emily, Logan, Issie, Elle-Rose, Riannon, Emily, Bella.

2019 Sonya, Rebecca, Meg, Heilee, Harry, Eden, Bronte, Lulu.

2020 Grace Room 5, Emma Room 5, Anna Room 18, Vili Room 5, Tayla Room 19, Asuka Room 19, Kate Room 6, Amy Room 18, Maggie Room 4, Gabby Room 2, Lily Room 2.