Carving embodies Pacific’s spiritual world
By Paul Titus
Under a large white tent at Te Puea Marae in Mangere a multi-cultural group of carvers is at work shaping the massive trunks of several kauri trees to tell the story of the Maori view of creation and the migrations of Pacific peoples.
When completed a steel frame will join them together in a single carved column, named Pou Kapua, that will stand four and half stories (20 metres) tall. While acknowledging God throughout, Pou Kapua narrates Maori’s deepest histories and beliefs.
Leading the project is master carver Wikuki Kingi junior. Of Tainui, Te Whanau a Apanui, and Ngai Tahu descent, Wikuki is the son of Wikuki senior and Evelyn Kingi. Wikuki senior is one of
Wikuki jnr says the idea for the carving took shape early in 2002 when the Auckland City Council wanted to install a public artwork that would mark the
“One of the proposals was to build the
“We had already carved a 64 foot high pou ihi at
The skill base of carvers to carry out the project was already at hand. Because both his father and grandfather were both carvers, Wikuki has always been around carving. He has carved for 30 years and is involved with six carving schools around
“The only thing we needed was to get a hold of some wood. We approached Te Rarawa of Hokianga, and they gave us some big wind fall kauri trees. It is appropriate the trees come from there because the central figure in the carving is the great explorer and navigator Kupe, who first landed in Aotearoa at Hokianga.”
Along with Kupe, Pou Kapua depicts Tangaroa, guardian of the oceans, Rangi and Papa and their children, Nga Atua – the gods of war, wind and different aspects of life.
A central figure in the carving is Matakerepo, who held the sacred knowledge of the gateways to the heavens. In the carving she takes the form of a serpentine taniwha.
Wikuki says Pou Kapua is a real piece of Kiwiana because tribal groups from around the country have contributed material and/or permission to use their special symbolic patterns.
“Tuwharetoa donated totara and rimu, and my whenua on the
But the vision for Pou Kapua extends beyond
“We want to bring a Peruvian carver out to work with us because the kumara and the calabash gourd originally came from there. And we are in discussion with some Aboriginal artists as well,” Wikuki says.
The Pou Kapua project has also had positive spinoffs for the community. Ten of the carvers working on it are young men who were long-term unemployed but have now achieved NZQA certificates in carving.
Current plans are for Pou Kapua to be placed at the Telestra-Clear Pacific Event Centre in Manukau when it is finished at the end of 2004.