Ngā Kākāriki
Wharekākāriki was the pā that Tikiahi lived at and where he watched over his domain and was named after a green lizard who also resided here. Tikiahi was an esteemed tupuna of Ngāi Takoto. Tikiahi’s tupuna, Tamahui, lived on Tūtūtarakihi Pā which is located across from the Kaitāia Airport.
These pā formed a strategic line from the Rangaunu Harbour to Kaitāia (Kerekere Pā). They were two of several defensive pā within this rohe. They are located on the northern side of Quarry Road and east of the Whangatane Spillway and provided an extensive view over to Te Make where Tikiahi had his gardens and food storage.
Ngā Manu
Ngā Manu sits at the front of the Awanui Sports Complex and was unveiled in 2023. Another pouwhenua carved as part of a series by Māori Erstich.
Ngā Manu represents the generational guardian which is symbolised by the kāhu or the gliding hawk and acts as a protective shield over our people, our moana and our whenua.
Ngā Pioke
Situated at the beginning of SH10 within the Awanui township sits our pioke. Another stunning piece that acts as a tomokanga into our rohe.
A representation of our iwi whakataukī.
This Pou tells the story of Ngāi Takoto
through their principal Tupuna, Tuwhakatere
and his son, Hoka, the smaller figure below.
Tuwhakatere’s two wives are beside him,
on the left is Tuterangiatohia (Ngāti Kuri)
and on the right is Tupoia (Ngati Kahu).
Below the tūpuna figures
are symbols of Ngāi Takoto’s four marae.
The important connection to Rangaunu Harbour
is denoted by the multiple carvings of the
Pioke (dogfish shark) and the stingray.
The pioke is symbolic of the tribe’s whakatauki;
He iti marangai, tu ana te pahukahuka,
He iti pioke no Rangaunu he au tona…
This refers to, small although the pioke may be,
great is its wake, as it traverses the
might of the Rangaunu harbour.
This Pou is situated in the Te Ahu Centre Atrium, Kaitaia (Unveiled October 2012)