Matariki 2024
TOI TOURS - PUKEKOHE SCRIPT
1. Pukekohe Town Square
Karakia / Tikanga / H&S/ Introductions
The mural project is the third part of our response to the book “No Māori Allowed”, the first being the Author talk held in the Pukekohe Town hall, and the second being the Hiikoi for Harmony down our main street. All three of these responses came as a result of talking with our students and members of the community, it was clear that the impact of this history is still being felt, and that divisive elements are still prevalent within the Franklin community.
From the discussions we had there was a lack of awareness in parts of our community for many of the stories detailed in No Maaori Allowed, and we felt there was a need to respond to this dark history and an opportunity to respond creatively, which proactively could help bring people together and make choices for vision, honoring partnership in our present and near future.
We look forward to showing you our beautiful murals tonight.
MW: Koorero point 1
Pukekohe kohe - Puke meaning ‘hill’ and ‘kohekohe’ refers to the Kohekohe trees (New Zealand Mahogany also known as Dysoxylum spectabile) a significant taonga which once covered Pukekohe Hill and the wider cultural landscape of Pukekohe.
July is one of the best months to appreciate them. They are both winter fruiting and flowering, making them extremely important sources of food for a range of different birds during this lean time of year.
Maori used kohekohe timber to carve waka for river navigation and also used kohekohe leaves in medicines to treat a range of ailments.
The early colonial settlers took a different tack and attempted to use the leaves as a replacement for hops in beer brewing. The leaves have a strong bitter taste and so it is not surprising that this ingredient quickly disappeared from drinks.
Pukekohekohe - How Pukekohe got its name and its significance to iwi, pre-colonial koorero, ngaa koorero o te taiao
This mural is called “Too taatau kaainga, too taatou hiitori” by artist Martin Langdon. Martin is Ngaati Whawakia, Ngaati Hikairo and Kai Tahu.
Te Rama o Matahuaanga was a driving concept for the artist, reflecting on the place of seen and memorialized histories in our constructed landscape. Langdon has created an artwork that draws symbolism from this immediate environment.
The Seddon Memorial Light, The Judas Tree and other elements form the basis of visual reflection. The mural incorporates Langdons signature font to provide prompts to various unseen histories, relationships and concepts to consider in our quest to look back with new light to help us and the next generation engage in what defines our history moving forward.
He says “We don't need to tear down these reminders of our colonial past but we do need to start thinking about what is missing, how change has occurred and how we might counter balance the experience and meaning of what our home should feel like”.
This mural speaks about progression in our community. As we move through time, we learn and forge a new pathway forward. Represented by the light used in the Seddon street lamps. We have the fire representing how they were first lit up, with the words Te Ahi kaa, tangata whenua, hau kainga and tangata tiriti branching off. We have the light bulb with the words rangatiratanga, partnership, protection and participation and then we have the eco bulb with the words ranginui, papatuanuku, te taiao and unity.
Off to the side – there is also the Judas tree. You can see the judas tree (over there…) There is a plaque detailing the history of the tree coming from Italy. Also why is it called “the judas tree” Judas being a biblical figure who betrays Jesus. The painting of the Judas tree features small poppies to acknowledge our 28th Maaori Battalion – maybe something to ponder why a poppy would be placed on the judas tree. And our favorite part is how the branches of the Judas tree are trying to suffocate the light – which is a reminder to all of us to keep working towards a better future for all.
Our rangatahi loved working with Martin over the week. He reinforced to our students the importance of being curious, doing your research and thinking critically.
Completed in 2023
Mural number 2 of the series
Key features:
MW: Koorero point 2
Amiria / Paora to draft
Nestled between the second largest harbour in Aotearoa, Te Maanukanuka oo Hoturoa and the largest river in Aotearoa and completely surrounded by the Volcanic Fields makes absolute agricultural, socio-economic sense as to why Pukekohekohe is known for its ability to not only grow kai, but to feed the country with its rich nutritious soils - where the northern slopes of Pukekohe Hill were known to have some of the largest maara kai triggering many maaori to move to Pukekohe because of its prosperity. In the 1920’s - Pukekohe became a ‘safe haven’ for whaanau escaping the musket wars, caused by inter tribal warfare, where outside iwi constantly tried to conquer Taamaki using guns traded by early paakeha settlers.
Mai raano Pukekohekohe has forever been the centerpoint of prosperity for Tangata Whenua, not only because of the rich soils that grow all sorts of pre-colonial kai such as riwai, kumara, taro, uwhi and various rongoa but it also was a hub for many fish water streams - making Pukekohe kohe a point of trade, exchange and a thriving business intersection for traveling Maaori.
Significance of its rich soils and agricultural value, trade, commerce and entrepreneurship
REGAN BALZER (Te Arawa and Ngāti Ranginui) is the artist of this mural named Titiro Whakamuri, Kokiri Whakamua.
The Kumete, depicted in this mural, is a ceremonial food bowl and celebrates the Pukekohe community and the various crops grown in the region. We have our mighty potato, onions and pumpkins to name a few.
The Kumete features three carved forms. At one end we remember the past and pay tribute to the hard work of our ancestors – this is our koroua (wearing gumboots and holding a poppy)
The Koruru (face) in the middle - encourages us to learn from the past, to work in the present to build a healthy future for the coming generations which is represented by the tamaiti in the front.
Lower on the wall- these images acknowledge the children who passed away in the segregation era, due to racism and poverty, now lying in unmarked graves on Ward street.
These are images designed by young tamariki of the community, we put a post up on the Franklin grapevine asking for portraits from young budding artists – we were sent so many it was hard to choose. We acknowledge Pukekohe North and Pukekohe Kindergarten for their generous portraits. We got our year 9 and 10 art students to paint their portraits onto the wall.
This mural evokes so many emotions because of what it represents. It brings sadness because of what we lost as a community, but at the same time it offers a glimpse of the future. Happy, nurtured and thriving.
Regan hoped people could see themselves in this mural, because the work was created for the community, reflecting on the area’s resources as a path to health and well-being.
Facts:
Completed in 2023
Mural number 3 of the series
The young children who contributed their murals are from all around Pukekohe. Special mention for Pukekohe North Whaea Ataarangis class.
MW: Koorero point 3
Amiria / Paora to draft
After the signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, Maaori were impacted as settlers continued to arrive from far away lands, from as early as the 1830’s til eventually, 1863 when Maaori were impacted by quick land grabs, falsified sales, land confiscations etc and various trades, offers and land sales between Paakeha and Maaori, most exchanges led in the loss of land and the end of a thriving Maaori Economy and the beginning of urbanization, population and the depletion of a once abundant natural resource.
During this period of time, the establishment of The Kingitanga Movement was set up as a response to the atrocious behavior and treatment of Paakeha towards Maaori, who majority ended up landless, forced to conform to colonization leaving their papakainga, their marae and whaanau to adapt to the paakeha of life in the city.
This left many marae struggling to uphold and maintain - putting more pressure on the ahi kaa to keep the fires burning.
Impacts of colonization with war, land confiscations, urban maori and socio-economic changes, the impacts and reality we all face.
“Te Whaka Kitenga, The Vision” is the name of this mural here, it was named on the morning of the blessing by Ngati Tamaoho. It is the first mural to be painted of the series and was painted by Jimmy Kouratoras who is Ngati Tipa.
His mural features Tane Mahuta the pou, the first hei tiki, the cuisenaire rods, the double helix representing we are all 99% identical, Princess Te Puea, Te Wheke – the teachings of Dr Rangimarie Pere and King Tawhiao.
There is also the hands. Jimmy came into PHS to brainstorm with our rangatahi. He asked them three questions. What is one thing you love, what is one one thing you wish you could change and one thing you wonder about. There was an overwhelming response of friendship and whaanau. There is also a large beating heart on the mural. This represents them – our tamariki – being the heart of our community.
Jimmy says “It's about changing the narrative, acknowledging it, but changing it for the youth and bringing a new colour palette to their story."
These murals are intended to promote education, healing and unity with the added benefit of being a unique learning opportunity for students. The art honours tangata whenua and projects the vision of looking back; to look forward for a harmonious future for everyone in the town.
The creation of beautiful public artworks that depict te ao Maori where all things are connected and inter-related, can help us to heal as a community and further break the taboo that has sat over our town like a dark cloud. For only by acknowledging the past, can we move into the future.
These murals are here to inspire all our kids – Maaori AND Non Maaori. Having our kids working on a mural means that together they learn about our history – the good, the bad and the ugly. The mural project specifically teaches them how to respond to this history through art, and to achieve this they are mentored by some of the best Māori artists in Aotearoa.
What we are really proud of is that these murals represent a real shift in attitudes and thinking in our community. The murals are here to provoke thought, conversation and to ensure we do not forget or ignore our history. They are also here as a resource to support what our children will be learning at schools as local history has been added to the curriculum. The murals can support this important addition to the curriculum by acting as a walking history tour of local stories, an art gallery on our door step – something we hope you have enjoyed tonight.
It takes a community to change a community, so none of this would be possible without the support of some fantastic people in Pukekohe who not only believe in the Kaupapa, but most importantly are also willing to publicly stand alongside us, and generously donate their time, resources, walls, as well as providing support in the background.
Facts:
Mural number 1 of the series
Painted in 2023
Sponsored by Franklin Arts, Local Franklin Board
Resene
Was named by Ngati Tamaoho
It took 1 month to paint (due to rain)
MW: Koorero point 3
Me tiro whakamuri, kia anga whakamua: Walking backwards into the future
● Partnership, protection and participation.
● Treaty partnerships
● Kohanga Reo Generation
● Waananga
● Te Reo Maaori
● Moko kanohi
● Taonga tuku iho all activated.
Where we are today, how have we learnt from the past, what our aspirations are for the future and how working together will get use there for the betterment of all our mokopuna.