He hui ‘25 ngā tau: Te Heke Mai Raro’
A REPORT:
HE HUI: ’25 NGĀ TAU: TE HEKE MAI RARO’ / TOI TAIAO @ HONGOEKA
April 19 – 23, 2022 He Kōrero Whakataki
Hongoeka Marae have recently celebrated the 25th anniversary of their whare tūpuna, Te Heke Mai Raro, held on April 19 to 23, 2022. This five-day programme included some very special kaupapa kōrero in the whare by some of the whānau as orators, historians, and artists speaking about whakapapa, significant iwi taonga, and the creative arts of whakairo, kōwhaiwhai and tukutuku.
It was a time of remembrance and a time for whakawhanaungatanga; it brought the whānau whānui together to share stories, to waiata, to kai, have fun, and join in the toi (art) activities on offer.
The first part of this report provides a brief overview of the Te Heke Mai Raro anniversary programme, focusing mainly on the first and final days, through using images and comments collated from some of the whānau.
However brief, this shall assure an important record of some form has been kept of the hui; and fortunately, in addition to this, an audio recording worked on by a whānau member who has captured some of the valuable kōrero that took place in the whare, is well looked forward to.
The second part of the report has a ‘Toi Taiao @ Hongoeka’ focus looking specifically at the mahi toi (‘hands on’, mahi-a-ringa) activities, such as the customary arts of raranga, whakairo and kōwhaiwhai workshops that were integrated into the programme and considered as continuation from the kōrero in the whare on the creative arts (this was covered on days 2 – 4).
Finally, and in conclusion to this report, are general comments and images describing other parts of the hui programme to include some acknowledgements. The biggest acknowledgement of all, however, is to all the people who turned up to any part of this hui to make it the valuable and memorable time it was, spent at Hongoeka Marae.
HE HUI: ’25 NGĀ TAU: TE HEKE MAI RARO’
‘The week programme gave opportunity for whānau to hui tahi around the kaupapa o te whare, learn about whakapapa, toi whakairo, toi tukutuku and toi kōwhaiwhai, and hear purākau about Hongoeka, its people, its journey, and its aspirations’. (S. Gunson).
‘Big mihi to the organisers for organising a fantastic week’ (S.Kemp).
Above: Day 1, April 19. A karakia at dawn & iwi history kōrero by Kahu Ropata.
The programme started with an amazing dawn karakia to acknowledge Te Heke Mai Raro as the sun come up to greet us. Whakapapa kōrero and pūrākau at the front of the whare with kaumātua meant that we got the lived experience of listening to kaumātua as they recollected memories of the creation of the whare; a time of gratitude, acknowledgment, laughter, and some tears. (S.Kemp).
Day 5, Saturday, April 23.
I attended the final morning of kōrero in the whare, facilitated by Steve Gunson. 1. The shared whānau kōrero with Pip re history, leading up to and including the building of the whare. 2. An excellent presentation of four taonga and the lives of four important tūpuna by Miria Pomare. Wow. 3. A presentation and explanation, by Rakairoa Hori, of the whakapapa design for our new anniversary tee shirt. This was followed by a launch of the new shirt.
Plenty of enthusiasm and excitement re all three excellent presentations. (P.Grace).
Above image: Miria Pomare and Steve Gunson holding a kahu huruhuru: This kahu huruhuru belonged to Topeora, its name is "Turangi-marumaru" to mean ‘stand under overcast skies’, in reference to her leading role in the theatre of war. (M.Pomare).
TOI TAIAO @ HONGOEKA.
Throughout the week we learnt about the whare, the tukutuku, the carving, kōwhaiwhai and all the story’s associated with them. An intimate experience to pass on to the next generation. We were then able to participate in workshops, such as weaving a kono and having fun with flax. Such a huge demand for this mahi. Great turn out!! In between creating, tamariki were able to run around with their cousins and soak up the conversations happening around them.
E ako ki te Ora, e Ora ki te ako. E kore e mutu ki te ako te tangata mai te kōpai ki te urupa.
Nā Sean Ogden. (S.Kemp)
The importance of this part of the report is to show how Hongoeka have been able to continue momentum of toi activity at the marae amongst its’ whānau during such unprecedented and challenging times of Covid.
It notes how the workshops were resourced, and indicates the marae buildings where the workshops took place. It looks at its participants (tauira and kaiako), being whānau of all ages, and provides visual imagery and comments from some of its’ participants and workshop facilitators.
He Kaupapa Toi: Whakairo
A whakairo kōrero and workshop held on Wednesday, April 20, 2022.
A kōrero by Te Mako Orzecki and Patariki Grace, Te Heke Mai Raro.
‘Introduction to whakairo’ - workshop, Rakairoa Hori, wharekai (deck).
Uncle Stan and Uncle Patariki did a kōrero about the whare tūpuna and its whakairo. I found it easy and interesting to listen to. The tamariki were asked who / what tūpuna the whakairo represented to see who was listening. They said ‘Poutama’ and ‘Te Rauparaha’ (M.Winiata).
Rakairoa’s whakairo workshop focused on regional carving styles and drawing practice of the other half of these four kōruru.
Above left: Raureti and Andre spent the entire day on mahi whakairo with Rakairoa, practicing their drawing of the half faces. Rakairoa commented on how good they both were at drawing; maybe because both their fathers (Sidi and Stan) are carvers?
Above right: He was then joined by his tamariki and the cousins wanting to colour in and practice.
Above left: Te Ahu Potiki (10 years) joined in and drew his own whakairo, Taranaki style.
Above right: Artist unknown
The ‘teina’ whakairo activity utilised crayons and a carved practice board to get its impression on paper bags. As a simpler activity, it was still quite difficult for the little ones to achieve the pattern to its full potential, nevertheless, it is great learning, from the physical nature of holding and applying pressure to the crayon to achieve the impression, and of course gaining exposure to the whakairo artform. (K.Grace).
He Kaupapa Toi: Kōwhaiwhai
A kōwhaiwhai kōrero and workshop held on Wednesday, April 20, 2022.
Kōrero in wharenui by Te Mako Orzecki, Kohai and Patariki Grace.
Kōwhaiwhai workshop held in wharekai basement (art space) by Jolie Gunson.
Above image: Displayed in basement art space, Uncle Brian Gunson’s folder of concept drawings and ideas he did for the kōwhwaiwhai planned for Te Heke Mai Raro.
We wanted workshops for all ages from littlies to kaumātua. The workshops varied from painting a rock & sticking on cut out kōwhaiwhai designs, colouring in a design & gluing it onto tin cans to make a pen holder. Tins were recycled from hui the previous weekend, working in with our sustainable practices. (J.Gunson).
A more advanced activity was to trace or copy a design from the whare onto cardboard or wood & paint. This workshop showed how kōwhaiwhai is made up of a series of patterns, starting with a basic design & adding to it, then flipping or repeating that pattern. One of the patterns from the whare that was used was Tūrangawaewae. This suited the kaupapa of the week which focused on Te Heke Mai Raro, & it's creation & design, but also the coming together of the whānau at Hongoeka. (J.Gunson).
Above left: Manaaki and Raukawa Orzecki
Above right: Kahukura Hori using pencil and tracing paper method on to a board before painting.
Above: Te Rangi Mahaki Hori with his painted rock and kōwhaiwhai board.
Below: Te Ahu Potiki Grace (left) and unknown artist (right) with their free hand painted kōwhaiwhai.
He Kaupapa Toi: Mahi Raranga
Two raranga workshops held on Wednesday and Thursday, April 20 & 21, 2022.
Raranga harakeke for ‘teina’, by Charlotte Orzecki in wharekai basement art space.
Raranga kono for ‘tuakana’ by Kohai Grace held in Whare Awhina.
Charlotte and I decided to have two types of harakeke workshops; Charlotte’s one for the young tamariki as a ‘go to’ activity making tipare (headbands), ika, putiputi and other objects that could be made quite quickly. Some of them decided to paint theirs, and I enjoyed seeing the freedom they had to do so. Charlotte had approximately 15 tamariki (and some adults) for her workshop over the two days. (K.Grace)
Weaving kono.
The other workshop, making kono, was a lot more advanced and took a bit more time and patience of its’ tauira. This was taken over two days and recommended for tamariki 11 years and over, through to adults. The time over the two days was needed to start the learning from the whakapapa of harakeke, its tikanga of harvesting and preparing, through to the actual kono making. At first, I was nervous about some of the tamariki being under 11 years old, but It was wonderful to see mothers and daughters, grandparents and moko turn up to learn together, and I was actually pretty impressed to see those younger ones managing quite well on their own. Some tamariki were showing adults – a great example of tuakana – teina! Because it was a two-day workshop, meant the tauira could consolidate their learning on the second day by making another kono or two. (K.Grace)
Below: The kono weavers and their master pieces
He Kaupapa Toi: Free-style art workshop by kaum`atua Pat Grace and Grace Warren.
Held on Wednesday and Thursday, April 20 and 21, 2022 in wharekai basement art space.
Grace and I had a great time running an art workshop for the children (5-10 yrs, but some younger than five). Activities included painting, rock decorating and collage. The kids would come into the basement (our art space) make art, go out for a while to play on bikes and scooters or to shoot a few hoops, then come in again to create their next masterpieces. (P.Grace).
Above images: Sisters, Mae and Wynta (Matt and Nadia’s girls) did these beautiful paintings.
Above 2 images: artists unknown.
Toi Taiao @ Hongoeka: Concluding Comments:
This part of the report concludes by drawing from the whare tūpuna, Te Heke Mai Raro, a kōwhaiwhai heke called Whakakitenga, depicting a whai, or stingray, moving through the Hongoeka waters at low tide in search for kai; it has a whakatauki that says:
Tōhua ngā whakatupuranga ki te inu i te puna o te mātauranga kia horo ai te whakaruruhau o te ora ki runga i te iwi.
Guide the young to drink from the spring of knowledge. That the sheltering mantle of wellbeing may spread over the people.
Toi is knowledge of the universe, of Te Taiao, that is continuous, forever searched; it is never-ending. One simple recommendation from whānau who have invested an interest in this share a common view that such worthy ‘Toi Taiao’ activity in context of its whare, marae, hapu and iwi whakapapa, should continue to thrive at Hongoeka.
General comments and some acknowledgements:
Kai and music on the Saturday afternoon were good coming together times for the whānau, to just sit, relax & enjoy each other's company, sharing stories, memories & watching videos of the opening of the wharenui. (J.Gunson).
Kaumātua were able to enjoy a mirimiri and some wai rākau with the rongoa crew, which was well received. (S.Kemp)
Entertainment with Trey and the band members meant that we could share kai (hangi) and have some of the talented whānau perform to us while we ate. Beautiful hangi to finish off beautiful kaupapa that will always be remembered. (S.Kemp).
Big mihi to all our ringawera throughout the week. (Asher seems to have dodged the camera but did a great job of the dawn breakfast).
Above left (2) images: Games / bowls evening held Friday night in Kenana wharekai. This has become a popular, regular Friday event at the marae.
Above right: Many thanks to Orzecki whānau for the basketball hoop. It was a hit with tamariki and adults alike!
Nā Kohai tēnei pūrongo, me te mihi nui hoki ki te whānau: many thanks to all who contributed with your photographs and comments to help pull this report together. (30 Haratua, 2022).