HOKIANGA NUI Ā KUPE

The inspiration for this design comes from the tukutuku patterns niho taniwha and pātiki  which I have used to represent  both our kaitiaki Arai te Uru and Niniwa who protect North and South Hokianga, and Te Ramaroa the “long light or eternal flame that guided Kupe into the harbour.  

The dynamic kōwhaiwhai pattern puhoro is distinctive here in Te Tai Tokerau and symbolises some of the attributes of Kupe, such as strength, resilience and determination.