Ko au, ko Ngāti Whātua

Tāmaki Paenga Hira - Te Taunga, Community Hub

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This exhibition – Ko au, ko Ngāti Whātua – is a doorway into the physical, cultural, and spiritual threads that weave our story. Each taonga in this collection speaks of who we are – a people who have endured, adapted, and thrived, always grounded in the strength of our whakapapa (Lineage).

These are the treasures of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei. 
These are the treasures of Tuperiri. 
These are the treasures for every generation of his descendants – ngā uri o Tuperiri.

He kohinga taonga ēnei e whakakanui ana i te whāinga nui o Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei kia ara ake, kia ora mai ai ngā taonga whakahirahira, ngā taonga tuku iho –  nā ngā uri o Tuperiri, mā ngā uri o Tuperiri.

Ko au, ko Ngāti Whātua will be exhibited from mid March to early October 2025. Located in the Te Taunga - Community hub in the north atrium.

Open weekdays from 10AM - 5PM.
Open Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays from 9AM - 5PM.
Open late every Tuesday evening until 8.30PM.

Kapa Haka Whakamārama - Translations

  • English Transliteration

    Composed by Ngā Uri o Tuperiri

     

    What is the wind that murmurs forth? 

    It is the four winds,the crashing tides,the raging seas of Waitematā,

    Māhūhū-ki-te-rangi, haul in the multitudes that I may witness and feel the immense pride that brings the masses to these shores. 

     

    Come hither! Traverse the land! 

    You have arrived to Ngāti Whātua, 

    Upon Tāmaki binding all waka and peoples together 

    Stand and welcome the people!

    Ā, iaha tērā! 

    Welcome! Welcome! Welcome! Welcome! 

     

    The majestic mountains idly stand, holding the stories of those passed 

    As the tears of Rangi descend, reminding us of our losses and fortunes 

    We release on to the scared lands of Takaparawhau our laments and chants in acknowledgement of our tūpunaStand united and welcome the people! To this prestigious celebration. 

  • English Transliteration

    Composed by Joe Pihema

    The dog-skin cloak of Tuperiri - Rights of ancient bloodlines! 

    Ohomairangi, Ngāriki, Ngãiwi, the waters of Huakaiwaka 

    The black hawk, the white dogs 

    Rights of conquest 

    The battle where 'they all fell as one,' the hanging of Kiwi 

    Wahaakiaki, Waitäheke, the flax-laden canoe 

    The path-of-cloaks, the spotted dogs 

    The allocation of lands 

    From Mount Eden to Parnell, crossing over 

    To Cox's Creek, from a aristocratic hand 

    Enacted by Apihai, paramount chief of Tāmaki 

    Rights of occupation 

    Ko Tuperiri, Whakaariki, Tomoāure, 

    Paewhenua, Tarahawaiki e 

    Ko Whatarangi Ko Uruamo, Awarua, Te Paki o Rehua 

    Apihai, Atareta, Te Tinana, Tokotoko 

    The dog-skin cloak of Tuperiri will never be lost 

    Fetch the axe 

    We are in accord, let this be done 

  • English Transliteration

    Prophesied by Ngāti Whātua rangatira, Tītahi

    What is that murmuring sound
    Upon the north wind
    That cast my paper nautilus ashore
    Which I plucked from the north wind
    And thus claimed?
    It is the carved pillar that stands in the Waitematā Harbour
    That I see in my distressed state.

  • English Transliteration

    Composed by Joe Pihema and Te Kurataiaho Kapea

    Distant signs afar sparkling above 

    My loved ones who have passed 

    I glimpse above to Matariki 

    to Autahi, to Takurua 

    to Puanga to the sacred stars of the year 

    I glimpse above to Matariki 

    Sparkle brightly (upon a new path) 

    Bind wellbeing (on land and sea) 

    Bind good health (on land and sea), sparkle brightly 

    Hiwa listen to us let our hopes manifest abundantly 

    Let our thoughts be active may our food be plentiful 

    A network of food and people 

    Go forth my many kin out into the wide world 

    Us the living take our tupuna as guardians 

    On our many journeys 

  • Whakamārama

    Composed by Joe Pihema

    E kore e riro is a bold declaration and statement that elevates the enduring tangata whenua and ahi kā status of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei in central Tāmaki (Auckland). “E kore e riro” - “Never to be taken from us”. This composition supportsthe powerful story of the historic 2021 Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei case against the Crown to challenge its approach to settling overlapping claims.

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