Ururangi
Ururangi (Merope) is a male star Maori associate with wind and is connected to the nature of winds and atmospheric conditions for the year. Expert Maori astronomers will observe its appearance during the rising of Matariki in the Maori New Year to predict how the winds and weather might affect the land and sea, and the productivity of water and land resources.
Ururangi, the wind star, is connected to Waipunarangi, the rain star, and has a relationship with Tawhirimatea, the weather god. This pou at Slope Point is in a place of con ict between the sea and the land. The design depicts Ururangi racing in over the sea, stirring up white water and creating spray from the waves, before hitting the land with force, pushing trees and grasses aside and permanently casting them in place. The colours are naturalistic, as the wind cannot be seen. On the wide maihi (barge boards) tree-like ngers can be seen. The amo (side posts) are in the form of maeroero, ghostly gures from the bush who warn people to stay away. In the brow of the koruru (mask), toroa (albatross) can be seen soaring in the wind. The circles in Ururangi’s ngers represent the bright stars of Tautoru and Te Kakau (Orion’s Belt), with the fingers pointing upwards towards Puaka.
Artist
Steve Solomon – Ngai Tahu, Ngati Mamoe, Waitaha, Te Arawa, Te Whanau-a-Apanui