Taonga
As part of establishing Kōpūrererua it was important to adorn our whare with taonga that reflects its kaupapa. This page takes a look at those taonga and the stories behind them.
Kōpūrererua - pare
Pare - a lintel or carved slab over the door of a house
The pare above the door of Kōpurererua reflects the story of the Kōpūrererua river. The two figures at each end of the pare represent the two springs Te Ohane and Tautau - these two springs in the Kaimai ranges come together to form the Kōpūrererua river before it flows into the Waikareao Estuary. The figure in the centre of the pare is a representation of Taurikura. Taurikura is an ancestor of the people of Ngai Tamarāwaho who exercise mana whenua over this area where we are based. Taurikura is intrinsically connected to the story of Kōpūrererua, more about her and her story can be found further below. The pare is a contemporary take on carvings that adorn tūpuna whare on Marae, with this one having been manufactured from aluminium and perspex. The pare was designed and machined by Pete Smith a local expert in the art of traditional and contemporary carving.
Puketoromiro - tukutuku
Puketoromiro is the name of this tukutuku panel, a woven representation of an important kōrero. Puketoromiro is the name of an ancient pā belonging to Ngai Tamarāwaho, the hapū who have mana whenua in the Kōpūrererua valley and who lead the karakia to open our whare. Puketoromiro you can see today as you travel along Takitimu Drive heading to the CBD from Pyes Pa (see the photo below). This pā site was a place of refuge for the people who lived there centuries ago but in recent times, it was severed down the middle with the creation of Takitimu Drive. Its a very visible reminder to the descendants of Ngai Tamarāwaho of the impacts of modern life on their sites of significance. Puketoromiro the tukutuku panel, depicts this story in the severing of a tuna (eel) in two by the creation of a road.
The story depicted is an important one for us to reflect on as it highlights the need for good engagement with Tangata Whenua so that we don't create longstanding grievances. The kaupapa of our whare reflects the importance of working together for great outcomes for all, this tukutuku is a reminder of what can happen when we stray from doing that.
Taurikura - tukutuku
The story of Taurikura is one held dear by Ngai Tamarāwaho. Depictions of this tupuna can be seen at the Crossing, in the Mangorewa gorge, in a stained glass window of Tamateapokaiwhenua - the tupuna whare at Huria Marae, and now in our whare - Kōpūrererua.
Taurikura is depicted here as a lizard because the stories tell of her being the ancestor to tuatara, found only now on Karewa island.
Tauranga Moana
This tukutuku represents Tauranga Moana. The middle of the tukutuku is a depiction of Mauao, a significant landmark to the iwi of Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāti Pukenga and Ngāi te Rangi and indeed the Tauranga community as a whole. The bottom of the tukutuku represents Pūwhenua, a Maunga that is significant to hapū of Ngāti Ranginui, particularly Ngai Tamarāwaho and Ngāti Ruahine. The top of the tukutuku represents Otanewainuku, another significant Maunga for Tauranga Moana. All of which also connects Tauranga Moana iwi to other parts of the district including to the iwi Waitaha of the Te Arawa waka.
Te Arawa ki Tai
This tukutuku represents the iwi of Te Arawa ki Tai, the part of our region from Te Puke onwards. The kaokao design depicted here represents strength and resiliance.
During Te Wiki o te Reo Māori 2025, staff were invited to contribute their time and skills to an art work that would be put up in Kōpūrererua. This is the result, the piece doesn't have a name or a specific story but represents the things we can achieve when we work together - something that those who were a part of contributing to it can be proud of.
