• Tū te Whaihanga Showcase 3

Whai ā-matawā nei, tīmata i runga i te taha mauī

Tīheru/Tata bailer

Rākau Wood

He hanga whai tikanga te tata hei unu wawe i te paringa wai o roto i te waka. Tārake ana te kite atu i te manaia i ngā taha e rua o te kakau whererei nei, me te wheku kei te pūtake ake o tēnei tata. Hei roto i ngā waka Māori i whakawāteahia he wāhi, kotahi e rua rānei hei whakatutuki i ngā mahi a te kaitata. Ko te ingoa o aua wāhi rā, he puna-wai, he tainga-a-wai rānei.

The shape of this canoe bailer is dictated by the need to extract water speedily and efficiently from the canoe. The manaia form on the end of the handle is visible from both sides, as is the full face figure spread across the base. In canoes fitted with a floor or deck one or two spaces are left clear so that bailing operations may be performed. This area in a canoe is known as the puna-wai or tainga-a-wai.

On loan from British Museum, Oc, NZ.123

Matau fishhook

Rākau, poroiwi, muka harakeke

Wood, bone, flax fibres

He mātanga te Māori ki ngā tikanga hī ika, inā hoki kūa oti kē tana waihanga i ngā tūmomo matau huhua whai tikanga, pēnei i ēnei. He kātuarehe te hanga me te kawenga o ēnei taonga hī. Kua tāpona he takā ki tētahi whakaawa kei te koreke o te matau, ā, he mea āta here ki te muka tarapī e kīia nei he whakamira. Ko te matua, arā te papakauawhi me tana kou, kua whai mata poroiwi he mea āta here anō.

Māori were expert fishermen. Their knowledge led to the development and manufacture of a wide variety of effective matau such as these on display here. The flax fibre snood known as the takā is tied to a groove at the head of the hook (koreke) which is lashed with fine muka (flax fibre) known as the whakamira. The wooden shank known as the papakauawhi with its bend (kou) has an attached bone mata (point) lashed again with fine muka.

On loan from Cambridge Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, D1914.69


Matau fishhook

Rākau, poroiwi, muka harakeke

Wood, bone, flax fibres

He tauira atamai tēnei e tūhura nei i te mātauranga Māori kua tātaihia ki ēnei taonga ōnamata, i ōna wā he rite tonu te torohia atu ōna hei whakamahi. Inā ia, ko ngā pūmanawa Māori ki te whakatikanga, ki te rāwekeweke i te taiao. Me kore ngā momo rākau mārō tāwariwari e taea ana te whakapiko hei matau. Hei tēnei tauira he kāniwhaniwha te mata poroiwi.  Ko te muka hei takā, hei whakamira, ā, whakamahia ai ko te pia rākau hei whakauka, he mea pani ki ngā here.

The workmanship in this matau is an early example of Māori ingenuity in utilising and manipulating natural resources. Certain tough and flexible woods were bent into the desired shape.  In this example the bone tip has a series of serrations down the outside edge which would have acted as barbs (niwha). The muka (flax fibres) snood (takā) and fine binding twine (whakamira) are also marvels of fine craftsmanship. Māori also utilised the gum (pia) of certain trees as a preservative that was applied to the lashings.

On loan from Cambridge Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, D1914.70


 

Matau fishhook

Rākau, poroiwi, muka harakeke

Wood, bone, flax fibres

He atamai i kore, he tōrire i kore, inā hoki te hanga o ēnei tū taonga Māori. Ko ngā momo matau huhua, e hāngai ana ki ngā momo ika me ngā tikanga hī-ika ā te Māori. He rerekē anō te hanga o tēnei matau, nā rā, ko te kou o te matau nei he tāhapa te hanga, ā, he niwha tōna mata poroiwi, he mata hangariki.

Traditional matau made by Māori are ingenious and beautifully constructed. The huge variety of hooks represent the many kinds of fish caught as well as the many techniques used. The shape of this particular matau has a sharp bend (kou) in comparison with the other matau on display here. The bone point or mata is smaller and has a single barb (niwha).

On loan from Cambridge Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, D1914.72


Matau fishhook

Rākau, poroiwi, muka harakeke

Wood, bone, flax fibres

Mai, mai, e whai tikanga ana ngā mahi hī ika a te Māori, me kore ake hoki te mātauranga ō te taiao me ōna taonga katoa. Kāore i pahawa i ngā matau poroiwi anake hei hopu ika nunui, pēnei i te mango me te hāpuku. Nā whai anō i tāpae atu ai he rākau mārō hei kauawhi, ka tāponatia he mata poroiwi niwha, pēnei i tēnei.

Māori were fishing efficiently and sustainably before the introduction of modern materials through an understanding of their environment and its natural resources. Hooks made of bone alone were not strong enough to catch big fish such as mango (shark) and hāpuku (groper).  This hook is an example of one which has been constructed with a strong wooden kauawhi (shank) made from dried saplings, lashed to a sturdy barbed bone hook (niwha).

On loan from Cambridge Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, D1914.71

 


The museum’s collections are always growing and on this page we share some of the highlights.  Our thanks to the donors for their support.

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Researchers can view collections that are not on display by making an appointment with the Museum Collection Manager.  Staff can also take small group tours through the collection storage facilities by appointment.  Please note that staff are not always available immediately and it is advisable to make arrangements as far in advance as possible, particularly if you are only visiting Gisborne for a short period.

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