Te Paepae Tapu a Rākaihautū

Artwork

CreatorEdwards, GeorgeNameTe Paepae Tapu a RākaihautūDate Made1995Medium DescriptionHand-carved kauriObject NumberLU174Credit LineCommissioned by the Lincoln University Art CommitteeFurther informationStanding in our entrance where we welcome our whānau and visitors to Lincoln University is Te Paepae Tapu a Rākaihautū, the sacred threshold of Rākaihautū, an ancestor of Waitaha, who is known by mana whenua as the first Māori to settle in the South Island.

The 4-metre high kauri taonga, crafted by master carver George Edwards, signifies the acceptance of Lincoln University as a suitable Whare Wānaka (school for the education of young Māori), and to welcome these young Māori to Lincoln University, along with all other tauira (students), staff and visitors.

The work was completed and installed in 1995 with the appropriate ceremony and blessed by the Reverend Maurice Gray, then Director of Māori Studies at Lincoln University and Kāi Tahu Kaumatua. In 2024, the carving underwent considerate restoration by artist Fayne Robinson and the team at Art Fetiche.

The tekoteko (figure at the apex of the carving) is Tū Te Rakihaunoa, the deity of the Waitaha traditions. His deeds are preserved in many of the natural landscape features of the South Island and are also inextricably linked to the traditions of the ancestor, Aoraki, and his brothers.

The koruru depicts Rākaihautū, who brought the Waitaha traditions and bloodlines to the South Island. The name of the koruru is Te Waha Kōrero o Rākaihautū (The Mouthpiece of Rākaihautū), implying that the customs, traditions and protocols of the Waitaha people should be given voice as Rākaihautū gave form, shape and definition to the natural landforms of the South Island.

The maihi is the structure of the carving, consisting of two outspread arms depicting manaia figures that are the spiritual guardians of the Waitaha traditions. These guardians protect the mauri (life force) and watch over the wellbeing of the mountains, rivers, lakes and other landforms.

The amo are the upright structures that support the maihi, and depict the genealogy of Te Taumutu Rūnanga and the other local hapū.

The pare sits beneath the centre of the maihi, depicting the sacred mountain Aoraki with guardian figures on either side, protecting Lakes Pūkaki, Tekapō and Te Kete Ika a Rākaihautū (Ellesmere).

To hear George talking about his practice, see: https://my.christchurchcitylibraries.com/blogs/post/carver-george-edwards/ Artwork CopyrightAll rights reservedArt CollectionLincoln University Art CollectionKeywordsMāoriLincoln University historySouth Island | Te WaipounamuNew Zealand history | kōrero nehe

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Te Paepae Tapu a Rākaihautū

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