Source: New Zealand Parliament
Media release
27 July 2023
Te Āti Awa Taranaki Whānui, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Office of Māori Crown Relations: Te Arawhiti, are honoured to announce the unveiling of Te Kāhui Mōuri (the clan of vitality) on Parliament’s forecourt.
“The taonga unveiled today represent Parliament’s commitment to a genuine partnership with Te Āti Awa Taranaki Whānui”, says Taranaki Whānui Chair Kara Puketapu-Dentice.
“It recognises our intrinsic connection to this whenua and upholds the mana of Te Āti Awa kawa and tikanga within Parliament’s grounds”, he said.
The three mōuri (vitality) markers indicate locations where pōwhiri take place on Parliament’s grounds, two carved pou (carved posts) flank the steps of Parliament House and a pare (lintel) is located above the main entrance to the Beehive.
Speaker of the House Rt Hon Adrian Rurawhe says, “Manuhiri will now be welcomed to a Parliament which is unmistakeably Aotearoa New Zealand. Parliament is a place for everyone, and these special taonga are a prominent reminder of the important relationship between this institution and mana whenua”.
Minister for Māori Crown Relations: Te Arawhiti Hon Kelvin Davis says, “The physical recognition of mana whenua at Parliament is long overdue. The unveiling of these taonga symbolises the role mana whenua fulfil as kaitiaki (guardians) of this area and signals the strengthening of their partnership with Parliament”.
While the idea for Te Kāhui Mōuri was conceived before the occupation of Parliament grounds in February 2022, Kara Puketapu-Dentice says, “The unveiling of this kaupapa closes the healing process by acknowledging and telling the story of tangata whenua.”
Te Āti Awa Taranaki Whānui has named the two pou (carved posts) which flank the steps of Parliament Tupua-horo-nuku and Tupua horo-rangi. These pou are a gesture of welcome and protection for the public, parliamentarians, and staff on the parliamentary precinct, and represent the opposing forces that were ignited and awakened by the taniwha Ngake and Whātaitai when the entrance to Wellington harbour was formed. The area on which Parliament and the Bowen Precinct reside is within the ancient pathway of Tupua-horo-rangi (the western activation).
The project was led by Kura Moeahu on behalf of Te Āti Awa Taranaki Whānui, in collaboration with Cultural Designer Len Hetet and Master Carver Sam Hauwaho who have over 70 years combined experience on similar projects.
A whakatauki (proverb) provided by Len Hetet says the pou, representing duality, “acknowledge that everyone has an opinion, and those opinions must be respected”. It also acknowledges the diversity of thought and processes:
“Tōu piki amokura nōu, tōku piki amokura nōku.”
“Your source of knowledge is correct, my source of knowledge is correct.”
Ends
Further information and answers to questions relating to this kaupapa are available on the Parliament website.
FOR MEDIA ENQUIRES CONTACT:
Office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives
Brooke Lacey – 021 836 946
Te Āti Awa Taranaki Whānui
Kara Puketapu-Dentice – 027 403 3662
Minister for Māori Crown Relations: Te Arawhiti
Whatitiri Te Wake – 021 893 982
