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Pou Hinerangi
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As a token of appreciation, PKW commissioned a taonga to capture some of the essence of Hinerangi’s contribution and her enduring impact on the PKW whānau. They were honoured to have one of their own Toi Māori artists accept the commission - Bonita Bigham (Ngāruahine, Te Ātiawa), a previous Te Rau Matatau / PKW Trust scholar and Rau Titikura / shareholder whanaunga, who is also a talented weaver of the traditional raranga process. Bonita’s work, and the whakamārama of the taonga, aptly articulates the appreciation and respect for Hinerangi’s leadership.
The name of the tarapouahi / shawl woven and gifted to Hinerangi is ‘Pou Hinerangi’ reflecting the dominant pattern, pouhine, the female equivalent of (not inferior to) poutama, and the fact that Hinerangi has been the pou/centre pole of Parininihi ki Waitōtara for a decade.
The tāniko pattern consists of three tapatoru/triangles each containing 15 separate tapatoru recognising her 15 years of service to the Incorporation, ten years as chair and five as a board member.
The tapatoru on each end represent her mounga, Taranaki and Taupiri, with the middle tapatoru representing Parininihi ki Waitōtara. Taken together, all three reflect the essential elements of the Incorporation - governance, operations and uri - and the strength they give to the organisation and its people as a whole. They can’t and don’t exist without each other.
The māwhitiwhiti / cross patterns throughout the tāniko represent us all, Hinerangi’s whānau whānui. The huruhuru manu / bird feathers are from a juvenile toroā / albatross, he manu tapu, he manu rongonui / a sacred and significant native bird. The toroā is a reflection of the growth of Parininihi ki Waitōtara during Hinerangi’s time and exemplary leadership - the process of learning, experimenting, collaborating and spreading its wings, diversifying and collaborating again.
This tarapouahi, just like Hinerangi, is made of all natural materials (no fake bits!) - muka and cotton string dyed with tumeric.
Bonita Bigham acknowledged her niece Lara Ruakere who provided muka from Waikato, and master weaver Kim Kahu for her awhi and support during the project. The accompanying kete is named Te Tiakina. It provides a natural and safe environment for Pou Hinerangi.
