The kōrero
It is not only wood and feather. Lifted, a tewhatewha does more than mark authority. It clears the way for the people. The grain of mānuka holds the weight of the whenua. The feathers of the kūkupa remind the bearer to temper force with peace. In the hands of its holder, this staff is shield and guide: a promise to lead with courage, to hold space with mana, to move always in balance with the people. Lift it, and the way opens.
The piece
The record
The piece and its record are one event.
- Form
- Whakairo
- The rākau
- Mānuka, from Pukehuia maunga, Ōmanaia, Hokianga
- The lashing
- Muka, hand-drawn, from Motutoa, Hokianga
- Adorned with
- Kūkupa feathers, from Te Ramaroa, Hokianga
- Made
- 2025
- Size
- 1000 × 170 × 35 mm
- Care
- Indoors, dry, out of direct sun
- Travel
- Feathers: enquiry only outside Aotearoa (CITES / Wildlife Act)
Enquire
Price on enquiry.
Email where the piece would live, and we go from there. Outside Aotearoa the feathers need permits, so this piece is enquiry only.
Enquire: [email protected]