Haerenga – Waka Huia

Title:  Haerenga

Artist:  Eria Gray

Iwi:  Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Kahungunu

Description:  Carved Waka Huia

Artist Statement:  The term Waka here is in reference to the long rectangle shape of this art form. This is to hold personal belongings/Taonga. Aesthetically and most importantly the Huia bird is of high significance and known that feathers of the Huia were kept within Wakahuia for generations with other taonga. The concept of this Wakahuia is Haerenga/Journey/Travel. A leaf traveling on water. The top lid is a representation of a leaf moving on the water. When you cast a stone into the water it creates a ripple effect depicted in the side patterns called Raperape. Manaia on each end represent the Wairua (two waters) with Rauru a variation of the Pakati Haehae surface pattern depicting here the swift rapids/currents of our waters.

Materials:  Tōtara, Pāua inlay

Dimensions:  310 X 110 X 76 mm