Weaving their way to the Big Apple

Matekino Lawless (from front left) Rotorua mayor Steve Chadwick, Tina Wirihana, and Kath Mohi Edna Pahewa, John Turi, Gaylene Henry, Cath and Jim Schuster, and John Lawless. Photo / Andrew Warner

The hard work and dedication of a collective of weavers - many from Rotorua and the Eastern Bay - will be unveiled at the United Nations headquarters.

More than 40 tukutuku panels have been installed in the New York building with an unveiling ceremony being held tomorrow (New Zealand time).

Project co-ordinator Christina Wirihana (Ngati Maniapoto-Raukawa, Ngati Pikiao ) along with 17 other weavers flew out last week to be part of the proceedings.

Tomorrow's ceremony will be the final conclusion of a nearly five-year project involving up to 40 weavers from around the country, who were part of Te Roopu Raranga Whatu o Aotearoa - the National Collective of Maori Weavers in New Zealand, Ms Wirihana said.

"The brief was really quite clear to focus on symbols that represent Aotearoa, New Zealand and are identifiable, certain events, flora and fauna.

"We initially had a noho marae to inform the collective of what will be involved and the commitment needed to the project. The idea was firstly to research the tukutuku patterns, look at what would be appropriate to use for the panels and were also mindful that there would be opportunity for weavers to design their own patterns," Ms Wirihana said.

The woven panels show a mix of traditional and contemporary designs that include Poutama (Stairway to the Heavens), Patikitiki (The Founder), Mumu (Checkerboard), Roimata Toroa (Albatross Tears), Pohutukawa, Matariki (Pleiades Star Cluster), Nga Rau Ponga (Silver Fern), Kohia (NZ Passionfruit), Mahutonga (Southern Cross) and Te Ra o Nga Hoia (Anzac Poppy).

The woven panels were commissioned by the former Minister of Maori Affairs Pita Sharples, after his visit to the United Nations in 2010.

The tukutuku had been on display at Te Papa in Wellington last year, with thousands of local and international visitors viewing them.

"It was actually quite overwhelming to see them [at Te Papa] the collective energy from whanau, hapu, iwi - that combined support to see the panels made."

They are now adorning a rimu wall New Zealand gifted to the United Nations when it became a member in 1952.

"I visited the United Nations and have viewed the site where they will be installed. To see the panels gracing the rimu wall will be a beautiful sight to see because of the location. It's pretty central in the foyer where the dignitaries congregate into the United Nations," Ms Wirihana said. "A number of weavers will be going over from Gisborne, Whakatane and Rotorua as well as some whanau living in New York and whanau from Abu Dhabi will be joining us at the unveiling."

Dr Sharples along with current Minister of Maori Development and Waiariki MP, Te Ururoa Flavell are also expected to be at the panels' blessing.

Mr Flavell said last year it was fitting the taonga were going to an organisation responsible for maintaining international peace and security, promoting human rights, including indigenous rights and fostering social and economic development.

"While we are accustomed to tukutuku in our whare tupuna (meeting houses) back home, these gifts will soon adorn a global meeting house."

Mr Flavell paid tribute to Dr Sharples for his initiative and thanked the weavers, Te Puni Kokiri, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Te Papa Tongarewa for their efforts in creating, assembling and exhibiting the panels.