PURAPURA I RUIA

PURAPURA I RUIA - an arts installation,  is the collaborative thinking of Te Runanga o Arowhenua and Oranga Tamariki-Ministry for Children in Timaru.  The woven overarching maihi (marae barge boards), the visual images of Aoraki and Kahu Korako  along with calligraphic text,  are selected symbols of values, celebrated and protected by both organisations.  The work is a reminder of a strengthened focus for tamariki,  rangatahi and their whanau living within the rohe of Ngai Tahu and further afield.

The maihi represents overarching values of tikanga –  wisdom and right action.  Kahu Korako, the esteemed and treasured bird of Kati Huirapa ki Arowhenua is a symbol of hope and strengthened vision for partners.  Aoraki, in the context of this work, symbolizes victory over often immense challenge. Known as the cloud piercer,  here it prompts discernment to move out from clouded hindrances of old thinking, to break up old ground and set assured pathways for the generation now,  and those that follow. The Ngai Tahu whakatauaki ‘Mo tatou, a mo ka uri, a muri ake nei – for us and our children after us’ affirms this.

This raranga / perspex installation (approximately  4M x 2.6M) was the collaborative effort of designer / facilitator Moana Tipa  of Moana Tipa & Associates Limited with Kairaranga-a-Whanau, Lavinia Moemate-Reihana and the Oranga Tamariki team led by Supervisor Lorraine Culleton, Joel Burgess - Southern Youth Justice Team and Arts Therapist intern Elizabeth Love,  Otepoti weavers Lisa Phillips, Nicky Fredericks and Marianne Te Tau.  Purapura i Ruia  was funded by Oranga Tamariki-Ministry for Children and the Ngai Tahu Fund through Te Runanga o Arowhenua.  Special thanks to Kahu Nature Photography for their generous use of the Kahu image,  Tony Zwies of Yellow Design and Andy White, Corporate Print Timaru -  Nga mihi maioha ki a koutou katoa. The work is installed in the foyer of Oranga Tamariki in Strathallan Street, Timaru.