April 25, 2016
Photos reveal genius of whare whakairo
The photographer for a book on Ngati Porou carving says the journey has given her a greater appreciation for the genius of those who built the great houses up and down the East Cape.
Natalie Robertson worked with Dr Ngarino Ellis on the book A Whakapapa of Tradition.
She had already set out to document as many houses as possible after the loss by fire of a house at Mangakino built by Pine and Hone Taiapa, and the project gave her a chance to go back to her home area.
She says the houses chart the interconnectedness of the tribe, and they are all special in some way.
While the pinnacle of tribal mana and design is Porourangi near Ruatoria, she’s also drawn to one across the Waiapu River.
"The other whare named for Porourangi's daughter, Rongomai Aniwaniwa at Te Rahui in Tikitiki, carved by Hone Ngatoto, is fascinating for its use of exotic animals on the maihi of the house, they're just very cute, and there are naturalistic carvings of people so it's just and in interpretation of the British Empire there are monkeys, dogs and lions on the maihi so it's just gorgeous and unexpected," Dr Robertson says.
A Whakapapa of Tradition was launched last week in Auckland, and it will be given a second launch at O Hine Waiapu Marae in Rangitukia on May 7.
Copyright © 2016, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com