This carving is to acknowledge and pay respect to the god of war, Tūmatauenga. Tūmatauenga protects all Māori who go to war, if a message is sent to this pole he will tell his brothers, the other gods, to keep you safe. This is in the past has been an important therapeutic communication tool for the Māori people.
Respect is also paid as Tūmatauenga allowed the eating of fish and birds and cultivation of the land for the production of foods. This sculpture helps to start a conversation about the Māori mythology and help to teach the children of Tokoroa the cultural heritage.
| Location
| Rosebery Street centre
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| Material
| Pine, Set in ground
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| Created
| 1998/99
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| Artist
| Herewini Tamihana
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| Definition of Name
| Tūmatauenga - The god of war in Māori mythology
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| Definition Interpretation
| Tūmatauenga was one of the great gods of Māori mythology and was treated with great respect and admiration. Tūmatauenga is the son of the sky and earth, Rangi and Papa. There are many versions of the legend of Tūmatauenga, in Te Arawa's version Tūmatauenga advises his subordinate brothers to kill his parents, so as to allow light into the world. Although the brothers do not carry out his plan, Tūmatauenga then snares to catch birds', makes hoes to dig the ground' and makes nets' as to capture his brothers children. Because of these legends, it is acceptable to kill and eat birds, fish and cultivate and harvest foods, which were said to be the children of several gods.
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