Around 110 years ago, master carver Tene Waitere, (a renowned Te Arawa carver), deftly crafted a waharoa (entranceway) which featured at the New Zealand International Exhibition in Hagley Park, Christchurch, in 1908.
The original Waharoa standing at Whakarewarewa Valley. Circa 1907. Photo Courtesy of historical archive researcher; Lemuel Lyes. Author; This Edwardian Life: Lost Photographs
After the exhibition the waharoa was transported to Rotorua and erected in Te Whakarewarewa valley – at the gateway to the thermal wonderland of Whakarewarewa village.
For 90 years it stood majestically at over 4 metres in height, welcoming New Zealand and international visitors into the village, until nature took it’s course and the carving started to deteriorate. Experts believe that it would have been crafted from a 5m tall, three tonne piece of bush-felled Kauri.
Never one to resist a challenge, when our Rotorua born CEO Dave discovered it was housed at Te Puia’s carving school in a shed (in seven fractured, crumbling pieces) he offered asBuilt’s digital modelling skills.
In keeping with Maori custom the waharoa was due to be returned to the earth in a customary burial. With the blessing of Te Puia, Dave scanned the waharoa, so that it would be remembered and treasured long after it was committed to the earth.
In traditional Maori beliefs, the waharoa was a portal between two separate groups. The group within a pa tuwatawata (fortified precinct) and a visiting roopu (group). While the purpose of a customary waharoa was to restrict and manage the flow of a visiting group, today they take on a number of different functions, including defining the perimeter of any given precinct. Pride of place was given to the gateway of a Maori village which carried strong symbolism for those entering the village. As a result, waharoa were intricately carved at giant scale and made to impress.