Wednesday, 24 February 2010
A SYMBOLIC adze (toki) named after an ancestor born 350 years ago represents Ngati Awa’s vision for the future.
The toki Awatope Manukatutahi was carved by tohunga Danny McRoberts, a senior carver working on the Mataatua Wharenui restoration project. Its handle is made from Northland kauri and its blade from pounamu (greenstone) obtained from the Arahura River on the West Coast.
Awatope - born 350 years ago at Otuawhaaki, the site of Whakatane’s information centre - was the eldest son of Irapeke, a direct descendant of Toroa, who captained the Mataatua waka on its voyage to New Zealand 700 years ago.
Te Runanga o Ngati Awa deputy chairman Pouroto Ngaropo said Awatope was an orator and a man who used diplomacy rather than warfare to achieve his aims.
The toki was named after Awatope following discussions involving runanga chairman Te Kei Merito, Ngati Awa whakaruruhau (patron) Sir Hirini Mead and himself.
All 19,000 Maori with links to Ngati Awa counted Awatope as an ancestor so he would exert an inclusive effect and unite Ngati Awa through the toki.
“We sing about him all the time in our songs and chants, our genealogies and histories,” Mr Ngaropo said.
Awatope represented leadership and unity; he was not afraid to enlist others when he lacked the qualities needed to achieve positive outcomes.
His four wives were the product of strategic marriages to bring Ngati Awa together and strengthen ties within the Mataatua tribal confederation.
Ngati Awa’s vision today was four-fold, Mr Ngaropo said.
The concept of turangawaewae - a person’s rightful place of residence - was important because most iwi members lived outside their rohe but valued their connection to it.
Establishing connection to the land promoted mauri ora (spiritual and cultural wellbeing), tu pakari (confidence, dignity and pride in being Ngati Awa) and toi ora (optimum wellness).
The toki, used ceremonially for the first time when Mr Ngaropo led the powhiri at this year’s Waitangi Day celebrations, is a symbol of unity, beauty and pride. Ngati Awa kapa haka performed with the toki in front of Maori King Tuheitea at the Mataatua regional kapa haka competition, staged at Torere on Saturday.
“It is a symbol that can move between the dimensions of time, representing the unborn and also the legacy of our ancestors,” Mr Ngaropo said.
“When everything is in alignment Ngati Awa is strong.”