Te Mauri o te Matatini
This display represents Te Mauri o te Matatini.
Mauri describes the life force from which life is given to a particular object, animate and inanimate. Mauri is often represented by a mauri stone, which acts as a receptacle for the life force.
In this case, the mauri is represented by the mauri stone, the small red rock. This rock comes from the Ruahine Ranges and was first gifted to Te Matatini by the people of Rangitane from the Manawatu when the Te Matatini Festival was held there in 2005 and 2009
The larger slab is Tuhua (Obsidian) and was gifted to Te Matatini in 2009 by the people of Tauranga Moana. The role of this rock is to act as a protector for the mauri stone.
The carved base on which they both sit was carved in Whakatohea, Eastern Bay of Plenty.
The Te Matatini Society Inc is the governing body for kapa haka, Maori Performing Arts in NZ, The society along with the local iwi or tribe host the Te Matatini Festival biennially. In 2015 the festival was hosted by Ngai Tahu and was held in Christchurch.
In 2017 the Te Matatini Festival will be hosted by Ngati Kahungunu and will be held in Hastings.
Tama Turanga Huata
Accompanying the mauri is a photo of Tama Turanga Huata.
Tama Huata was an internationally recognised expert in Maori performing arts and was at the forefront of the renaissance of Maori performing arts in the 1980s.
Tama was the Chairperson of the Ngāti Kahungunu Rūnanga Arts and Culture Board which leads the performing arts wing of Ngāti Kahungunu tribal initiatives and is also leading the Te Matatini 2017.
Tama was the inaugural chairperson of the Te Matatini Society Inc. and under the guidance of Te Arikinui Te Atairangikaahu, the Maori Queen, lead the re-vamping of the organisation to what it is now known as Te Matatini.
He was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2006 recognising 35 years service to Maori performing arts and was considered an international expert in indigenous arts.
Tama Huata passed away in February 2017.