Sculpted by carver Tairoa Flanagan and gifted to Te Waka Pu Whenua, January 2002.

The carved symbols represent a number of features supporting guardianship of the wisdom and knowledge passed on to mankind through the spiritual and physical worlds of ancient Maori.

This piece was carved from rimu and stands 4 meters in the office reception area.

Te Waka Pu Whenua

Taumarunui-based Te Waka Pu Whenua opened its doors ten years ago with a commitment to developing an educational model for and with Maori adult learners.

The organisation is contracted by the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) to deliver Adult and Community Education courses but still relies mainly on grants from private trusts, contracts, activities fees, course revenue and donations.

Maori make up well over 50% of the Taumarunui population and Te Waka Pu Whenua was founded to make opportunity for local Maori to express their own experiences and to shape their own future.

Courses

Te Waka Pu Whenua has been one of the cornerstones of a local Maori renaissance in Raranga weaving. The Centre run a number of courses, teaching technique and design of weaving in kete, whariki, korowai, piupiuand tukutuku and korowai.

Other courses provided by Te Waka Pu Whenua include Nga Reo o te Whenua, a series of Maori history field trips, taking people to sites of historical significance; a Maori oratory course in Whaikorero and a Kaumatua programme.

Courses are often free or very inexpensive. As well as facilitating courses, Te Waka Pu Whenua hosts a number of Hui to support whanau and marae development and encourages an integrated approach to Maori teaching and learning. In the development of Maori education, a holistic indigenous perspective is encouraged.