Artefacts Digital Story

Jenny

FOOD GATHERING TOOLS: WAKA KERERU (PIGEON SNARE) Waka Kereru are tools to catch pigeons. They are carved out of blocks of wood, usually totara. They are put into trees and a pigeon would get his head caught in the flax loops, these would tighten and the bird would be trapped. Jonny, Aiden, Harry

MAORI MEDICINE: HARAKEKE (FLAX) The harakeke plant heals gun shot wounds and bow and arrow shots. It can also help people when they have colds and headaches. Desiah and Jay

WEAVING:

This is a piece held at Te Papa. It is called ‘K Kahu’ and it is a two-piece outfit made up of a ‘maro’ (worn around the waist) and a bodice. These are made from woven muka, kiekie , silk thread , leather and paua shell. Lucy, Emma, Kotone

TAONGA PUORO: Musical Instruments ‘PUKAEA’:

Pukaea was used to welcome people and telling people about special events including Matariki. They could also be used as a war trumpet. They are carved from wood and can be up to two metres long. Oscar, Ethan, Toby

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WEAVING: ‘Te Ipu Kahurangi’ The children from Otaki made woven stars out of Harakeke (flax) and gave it to Te Papa. The seven stars represent the Matariki constellation. Skyla, Quanah, Krystal

POI: Poi are used to do kapahaka, to launch waka, to celebrate Matariki and lots of other important occasions. The Poi movements have lots of different meanings. Wills. Ana, Jordan

MAORI MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS: PUTATARA The putatara is used to announce arrivals to a marae or the birth of a child. It also used to summon people for formal learning or as a call for arms. Putatara are highly prized. They are made from triton shells which are rare and sometimes wash up on beaches in the Far North. Yasmina, Eva, Ellie

MAORI MEDICINE: HARAKEKE Harakeke (New Zealand flax) is used to heal lots of things like gunshot wounds and burns. The seeds are good for healing bruises. William and Arjuna