Tewhatewha

A Tewhatewha is a long wooden or bone weapon with a flat section at one end like an axe. They are a taonga/treasure that was handed down through generations as the possession of chiefs. They represented the mana/power/authority of the chief and the tribe. They were also used as ceremonial symbols of the mauri/spirit/power which was handed over at important occasions such as births, deaths and marriages. They were often intricately carved to detail the history of the tribe and its people. One side of the tewhatewha head contains the pūngāwerewere the spider web of life where we are all connected through God at the centre, with the 3 notches, the joining strands of the web, symbolising the trinity. A paua shell cross also points to the sacrifice and resurrection of Christ as our Lord and saviour. The remaining story of the tewhatewha and its carvings is to be developed and recorded this year. 

Whare artwork –Kowhaiwhai panels

The panels show the Ngutu Kākā- Parrot beak pattern. The Kākā is closely related to the Kea and Kākāpo. They are renowned as being some of the most intelligent of all birds and other animals in the world. They are very good at imitating each other as we are called to be “imitators of Christ”. The panels also include the school colours of red, green, black and white in the design.

A huge thank you to Dale Russel and her Yr 10 Art class (for painting), Mr Braithwaite (installation), Mr Agnew and Mr McKee (wood stencil work), Mrs Brosnahan and Mrs Boon (technical art direction) and Matua Steve (original design), Mr Harrison (manager) and Mr Vanderpyl (finance).