Artwork to inspire kaitiakitanga
To celebrate the rise of Matariki, Te Pou Māori at AUT has commissioned artworks by Bachelor of Design student Breana-Ann Kaponga (Te Atiawa) as a koha for all to enjoy.
This year’s work depicts each of the nine whetū (stars) of the Matariki cluster as a native manu (bird).
“The manu in kōrero tuku iho, pūrākau, and whakataukī hold significant meanings and represent connections between the living and spiritual world.” says Breana-Ann, who is majoring in Animation, Visual Effects and Game Design at AUT.
“I hold them dear to my heart as they have guided and inspired me to become the artist that I am today.”
For the works, Breana-Ann took inspiration from Kiwi artist Glenn Jones, whose art has a distinct Kiwiana style, evoking nostalgia through his use of bold colour.
Breanna-Ann says the manu are representations of perseverance through time.
“Waitī and Waitā are the kōtuku and kawau tikitiki, who reside in freshwater and saltwater environments where they source their kai.
“Waipuna-ā-Rangi and Ururangi are represented by the kārearea and riroriro, known as weather forecasters; the riroriro’s call signals wind, and the kārearea warns of storms.
“Tupuānuku and Tupuārangi are represented by the kiwi and kererū; tupuārangi links to hākari, while the Kiwi reflects tupuānuku through its connection to food that grows underground.
“Pōhutukawa and Hiwa-i-te-Rangi are the huia and kōkako; The Huia represents remembrance, as although its species was driven to extinction, it lives on vividly in memory. The kōkako symbolises hope through its recovery from near extinction.
“For Matariki, I chose the kākāpō, one of Aotearoa’s oldest manu, representing longevity and guidance over the other whetū.
Breana-Ann says the works celebrate native manu and their connection to Matariki, while encouraging wānanga around mana taiao.
“Through kotahitanga and shared kōrero, we can show aroha for the taiao and work towards protecting it.”
AUT Pou Awhina Jana Nee says this is the fifth year of the Te Pou Māori Matariki Commission.
“We are once again excited to share this koha out to community. We hope that Breana-Ann’s art works will encourage conversations about conservation and kaitiakitanga.
“If we are to be resilient like our native manu, we must see ourselves in relation to our taiao rather than separate from it. Matariki reminds us to reflect on these tohu and how they relate to our everyday lives.”