Tupuānuku
Tupuanuku (Pleione) is the star Maori associate with food that grows in soil to be harvested or gathered. It is associated with Papatuanuku (Mother Earth) and is therefore a female star. Expert Maori astronomers will observe its appearance during the rising of Matariki in the Maori New Year to predict what the upcoming harvesting and growing season will look like.
Tupuanuku represents underground kai (food), including plentiful root vegetables such as kumara and potatoes harvested in this oodplain area. The pitau designs (koru with added nodes) signify kumara growing in the ground, and Poututerangi (Altair), representing harvesting time. The design is low to re ect Tupuanuku’s close relationship to the land. The owing images on either side of the koruru (mask) are the Waimea (left) and Mataura Rivers. The koru designs on the amo (side pieces) represent birds, a weka on the left and a koreke (quail) on the right. Between the top upward-facing koru designs, which form the beak, are hidden the birds’ eyes. Little white lizards can be seen sneaking across the pou, as they do so stealthily in this area. It is said that Tamatea, the famed Maori explorer and captain of the waka Takitimu, dreamed of lizards, which can be seen within the koruru (mask).
Artist
Steve Solomon – Ngai Tahu, Ngati Mamoe, Waitaha, Te Arawa, Te Whanau-a-Apanui