He W'akaputanga Mai o te Rangatiratanga - A Proclamation

Artist statement: 'Mauri' ‘Ko te mauri he mea huna kit e moana’ -‘The life principle is hidden under the sea’ Nukutawhiti, arriving in his canoe ‘Ngatokimatawhaaourua’, at the entrance to the Hokianga Harbour, cast his kura into the sea so calming the waters for a safe crossing. The treasure was never recovered but the proverb remains to record the event and to refer to the life-sustaining food sources from these waters.

(P. Hohepa, 1981) ‘Haki O Te Motu’ ‘E ngaa rangatiratanga O Ngaapuhi, whakarongo mai. Kaua e uhia Te Tiriti O Waitangi kit e kara O Ingerangi, engari me uhi anoo ki toou kara Maaori, kit e kahu o teenei motu.’

‘Ngaapuhi chiefs, listen to me. Don’t cover the Treaty of Waitnagi with the English flag, but cover it with your own flag, with the cloak of this island alone.’

Said by Aperahama Taonui, suggesting that Ngaapuhi should not adopt Pakeha customs and politics in favour of their own.

(P. Hohepa, 1981) 34