Traditional Tapestry and Waka Ama

WAKA AMA

Linda Taurua-Taufo’ou recalls the talent of her nan, Te Orihana Te Amio Apiata, who created beautiful pari (tapestry) - one of which is now used as the trophy for the Kapa Haka Nationals and is also the basis for the school’s Kapa Haka team emblem. She’s a Queen of tapestry, friend, mum, aunty, sister and nan - this is a woman with many titles and a lot of integrity. For over thirty years she has devoted her time and skills to Whakatāne High School, but she has always devoted her life to her family. So, when she was sadly taken away in June 2004, she left behind treasured memories, ones that are still told to this very day. Her name is Te Orihana Te Amio Apiata, but known to many as Tammy Apiata. In 1985 she used her tapestry skills that her mother taught her to help create a beautiful design on the Pari you see in the picture. She would spend hours on them, making sure that they were the same in length (longways) and that the pattern you see front-facing was always identical. If it was slightly off she would take it back and start again from there. Nan was the person that you could count on to get the mahi done, and done to perfection. The kapa haka team had worn it on many occasions; I was informed they had worn it on the tour they took to Australia back in the day. There is also one of these Pari that has been placed and sealed in a frame created as a trophy for the Kakahu winners in the Mātaatua Regional Secondary School Competition. Tammy had been a part of the kapa haka team since being asked to make the Pari but to the whanau this meant that she would always be a part of kapa haka altogether. The work of her hands and heart would be shared with many through the mahi she left behind. On behalf of the whanau, to all those that were involved in being a part of creating such a beautiful trophy, I would like to share our gratitude towards you for doing this for our Kuia and we know she will always live on through this Taonga. Also, to the Whakatāne High School community, including staff past and present that have been with us on our journey with and without this beautiful woman, we would like to send a very warm mihi to you all; it made school feel like a second home for us all, even for Nan. Written by, Linda Taurua-Taufo’ou