Papanui High School

The carvings created and craved by the late George Edwards are vessels of Mauri, Mana, Hau and memory, created in collaboration with students of Papanui High, guided by Tikanga, Kawa, Whakapapa, and artistry. The structural integrity of the original Maihi and Tekoteko were badly degenerating, so it was determined that longevity and contemporary materials were needed for this project. With funding from the Rata Foundation and the Department of Internal Affairs, our Kaiwhakairo removed the original Maihi and Tekoteko from Te Whatu Kura o Papanui, storing them at the carving centre with the two original Pou that had been exposed to the elements for many seasons before being stored due to the level of deterioration of both Pou.

These Whakairo Taonga are the vessels of memory, created by George in collaboration with students of Papanui High, and guided by Tikanga, Kawa, Whakapapa, and artistry. The structural integrity of the Maihi and Tekoteko was evident so it was determined that longevity and contemporary materials were needed for this project. With funding from the Rata Foundation and the Department of Internal Affairs, Kaiwhakairo were able to recreate the carvings utilising digital technology creating three dimensional digital images which were provided to the school and George Edwards whānau before being utilised to create the new carvings in Corten steel with the Tekoteko being carved traditionally in Totara.

We held Hui with Whānau, Kaiwhakairo, Mana Whenua, Papanui High Kaiako and Tauira to discuss the assessment of the original carvings and identify a methodology that would be required to re-create the original carvings, identify the Tikanga that would be required to invoke and transfer the Mauri  of the original carvings before Te Nehu / burial of the original carvings. Under Tikanga and Kawa, ceremony was conducted for the transfer of the original carvings  Mauri original carvings into a Pounamu Kōhatu. Once completed, the original carvings, e Tuku Mauri and Te Nehu Ngā Taonga, were buried under ceremony at a burial site located on Papanui High Schools Whenua.

 

With the inclusion of a group of Papanui High’s studetns, two carved contemporary panels were designed and created with the help of our Kaiwhakairo. We commenced fabricating two new Pou and Maihi utilising the three dimensional digital images take of the original carvings.Technology was then used with Corten and stainless steel materials re-creating the original carvings in contemporary materials providing for longevity.

Our kaiwhakairo carved the new Tekoteko in Tōtara, in the same image and form as the original Tekoteko. Our board members and Kaiwhakairo facilitated a dawn Whakanoa ceremony with Karakia, allowing the participants to transfer the Mauri from the Pounamu Kōhatu to the newly installed and re-created carvings.

Kaiwhakairo installed the new Maihi and Tekoteko on Te Whatu Kura o Papanui and the two new Pou being installed inside one of the learn spaces of the school. At the centre of Te Whatu Kura o Papanui stands Māui-tikitiki-a-Taranga, carved into the Tekoteko as the eternal disruptor and re-weaver of reality. His presence here reminds us that the path to wisdom is never linear, but full of daring mistakes, challenges, and insights.

The design elements woven into the Maihi reflect the legacies of Māui, his ingenuity, adaptability, and fearless transformation. Their lines echo the stretching arms of welcome and challenge, while their structure ensures they will endure the generations. They are made not only to honour the past but to inform the descendants yet to come. In placing traditional symbolism within modern form, these maihi remind us that culture is not static. It adapts, just as Māui did. They are a call to future learners, to be courageous, to innovate, and to reach beyond what is known. Together with the tekoteko, these maihi form a complete expression of past, present, and potential, and the motifs hold the interconnectedness of all living things within the ascending pathway of learning. The Kōwhaiwhai design that borders the work draws directly from the original carvings of the school, creating a living continuity between past and present. These carvings are not simply visual. They are a coded Karakia, calling students to remember who they are, where they stand, and what they are yet to become. The re-creation of the two Pou, and the adornments upon the Whare, embody Poutama, the ascending steps of learning, understanding, and identity. They reflect not only the journey of each student, but the aspirations of this kura, the Mana of the Whenua, and the legacy of all who are connected to this land.