Te Atua a Hinepūtehue

Description

Title: Te Atua a Hinepūtehue

Artist: Hani Osborne

Iwi: Ngāti Raukawa

Description:  One of a series of Atua Wāhine (Māori Goddesses) Māori anime style An ideal gift for children but suitable for people of all ages. 

“Ka kite a Matariki, maoka ko te hinu”. At this time of Matariki, the hue were used to preserve food in fat (hinu) and were highly prized as rich kai for the cold months ahead. Hine Pū Te Hue was revered for this reason.

Artist Statement:  Hinepūtehue is the goddess of musical instruments and gourds. Amongst a war of the Gods Hinepūtehue took all their pain and anger into herself. Creating a song that she then sang along with wind instruments.  In doing so she calmed the world into a beautiful state of peace. 

The domain of Hinepūtehue was part of the taonga pūoro renaissance led by the late Hirini Melbourne, Richard Nunns and many others reminding Te Ao Māori of her important role in childbirth.  As a pacifier of war, disruption, conflict and unrest the story of Hine Pū Te Hue and her superpowers are retold through music, celebration and festivities.  No longer a forgotten pastime but very much part of the Māori and national education system of Aotearoa.