Story of the Pou

Rahui committee at PouHaititaimarangai Marae rahui subcommittee members with pou representing Te Whanau Moana and Te Rorohuri tupuna Kahutianui and Te Parata. Photo / Cheryl BamberKo Pūwheke te Maunga
Ko Karikari me Tokerau ngā Moana
Ko Kahutianui te Tupuna Whaea
Ko Te Parata te Tangata
Ko Te Whānau Moana me Te Rorohuri ngā hapū
Ko Ngāti Kahu te Iwi

Ko Haititaimarangai Marae

Kahutianui is the ancestress of Ngāti Kahu.
Te Parata married Kahutianui.
They stand together as husband and wife overlooking the whenua (land) of their people.

Tangaroa is the Atua of the moana (God of the Ocean).
Hinemoana is the nurturer of all creatures that live in the ocean.
Facing towards the sea Tangaroa and Hinemoana stand together to protect our kaimoana.

These pou are symbolic of the Maitai Bay Rāhui reminding each and every one of us to look after our kai moana, whenua and each other. The rāhui is to ensure the kai moana is here for future generations to enjoy.

Carved by woman and men of Te Whānau Moana and Te Rorohuri hapū alongside Main Master Carver Darrin Pivac (Ngāi Takoto/Ngāti Kahu), Master Carver Māori Erstich (Ngāi Takoto/Ngāti Kahu) and Apprentice Carver Harold Petera (Ngāti Kahu).

The second has Te Parata's wife Kahutianui on the front, and on the reverse, Hinemoana, the whaea of our moana.
Together, they represent the people of this area and the ocean within that space.