Carver again shapes landmark pouwhenua

LABOUR OF LOVE: Kereama Hohua carefully shapes the new Toi Kai Rākau pouwhenua to be placed at Kohi Point. Photo / Troy Baker, Whakatane Beacon

The hands of Kereama Hohua with Danny McRoberts shaped the first pouwhenua placed on one of New Zealand's oldest pā sites in modern times.

Now, 20 years on, Hohua is etching the carved replacement of Toi Kai Rakau, which will stand on Kapu-te-rangi pā site at Kohi Point.

Hohua is one of the few living kai whakairo (carving) artists in the Mataatua rohe and has been working on Toi Kai Rakau from his home in Ruatoki for the past month.

"I float in and out of the contemporary space, but I try to remain grounded with inter-generational practice that has been handed down to me, when it's directly related to our tīpuna," he said.

"I have always valued my position in the community because it reminds me where I come from and whom we connect to."

Hohua has been fortunate to learn the craft of whakairo in the Mataatua rohe from prominent educators - Maaka Te Moana, the late Te Kuiti Stuart and Te Hau o Te Rangi Tutua (Ching Tutua).

Hohua said koro Ching guided him and McRoberts through the previous installation of Toi Kai Rākau.

He said Tutua had an aroha for this particular pouwhenua, adding that the milestones of this tīpuna Toi Kai Rākau were symbolic of the Mataatua relationship between local iwi and native rākau (wood) in the rohe.

"My inspiration is drawn from people and place, I try to tell that story through my mahi," Hohua said.

TOOLS OF THE TRADE: Kereama Hohua began to learn the art of kai whakairo when he was 19 and is one of the few living artists in the Mataatua rohe who is versed in the artform. Photo / Troy Baker, Whakatane Beacon

"Kai whakairo artists have been mapping the story of social change through rākau for generations in this community and Toi Kai Rākau stands at the helm of that practice."

Hohua said there were a number of examples of whakairo that encompass change in this rohe. These include the Ngāti Awa Mataatua whare, which is a catalyst for the perseverance of the Mataatua people and which adorns the seaboard of Wairaka.

Te Kupenga o Taramainuku in Te Teko at the gateway of Mataatua marks an historical pā that hosted social, political and economic talks resourced by the Rangitaiki River. Te Kura Whare is also an introduced rākau technology led by kai whakairo anthropologist Tamati Kruger that archives the vision of the Tuhoe people pre- and post-settlement.

Hohua said the new pouwhenua would be similar to the last, with a few differences.

For example, this pouwhenua's tā moko curves around the ears, something Hohua said was unusual to see but he found aesthetically pleasing.

Hohua said it was ironic that the Kohi Maori seat at the Bay of Plenty Regional Council was filled by a councillor also by the name of Toi Kai Rākau.

"I hope the community gives him the opportunity to truly represent," he said.

"During the pandemic we have seen an immense shift globally and it would be good to see the Whakatane District Council, Te Runanga o Ngati Awa and the surrounding iwi lead in courageous conversation regarding our community.

"It's important for the Whakatāne region to come together and talk about the current social environment after the effects of the community being locked down in their homes during Covid-19."

Hohua and McRoberts are responsible for several other works around the district, including the restoration of the Mataatua whare where Toi Kai Rākau also stands sheltered alongside other tīpuna, the Warren Cole walkway and the RSA memorial gateway.

He said the memorial gateway was a particularly intimate piece of work for him due to his family's involvement in the 28th Maori Battalion during World War II.

In the 1940s, the Hohua whānau from Ruatoki had nine brothers go to battle. The whānau were fortunate to have eight brothers return home.

Te Runanga o Ngāti Awa will hold a karakia for the burial of the previous Toi Kai Rākau.

The date for the unveiling of its replacement is yet to be set.