I’ll be talking about the journey to Rangiātea island (near Tahiti), placing an etched kōhatu (river stone) on Taputapuātea marae under the direction of Tohunga (Expert/Knowledge holder) Tihoti, followed by the selection and return with the kōhatu Te Manu Ra’a o Rangiātea The Heavenly Bird of Rangiātea, named in conversation with Tihoti. Taputapuātea on Rangiātea is regarded as the centre and heart of Moana (Polynesian) navigation and has been a site of significance, for over 1000 years.
Very few people living or past have achieved this, and I take the exhibition of the kōhatu as important. Tihoti and I agreed that when it was exhibited, some form of whakapapa (genealogy) activity would take place. This involved workshops at Tūranga Christchurch Public Library when shown at Fibre in Ōtautahi Christchurch. At Pātea people are given leads on council resources to search their whakapapa, and tours of the archive and collection for family of people who donated items, were offered.
Amazingly one of the things that happened during this show is that I was unpacking stuff after moving house, and found documentation that Teraura, a vahine (female) tūpuna (ancestor) who was on board HMAV Bounty, was from Rangiātea. She initially was partner of Te Raro, a navigator from the same island. My family has three connections with Teraura, from our mum Irene ‘Weetie’ Clothier nee Young. Teraura was a tapa maker, which is called ahu in Tahitian, and used by researchers such as Pauline Reynolds.
The use of natural materials and connecting with whakapapa, aligns the project with actions to counter human forced climate change. We have to find different ways to do things, and renew our respect for, and relationship with, environment. Many of you will already be doing something – what is your most important thing? The talk is at Aotea Utanganui Pātea Museum on June 20 at 11am. All welcome. This is the final week of the show.
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