Heru Hapainga
NZ$0.00
Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Whatua brand tohu carved from whale bone harvested from a paraoa sperm whale which beached at Te One Rangatira, west coast Kaipara in the early 2000’s.
SIZE: 50mm x 155mm x 5mm
MATERIAL: Whale Bone
About this piece
The form is a manaia and stylised heru or chiefly comb to symbolise the traditional phrase “Ngāti Whatua Heru Hapai” symbolising leadership and cultural identity.
This tohu signalled the beginning of a series of initiatives and campaigns called “Heru Hapainga” aimed at addressing cultural heritage and the revitalisation of a cohesive and united tribal identity for Ngāti Whatua whānui tonu.
