Mata-o-te-Ariki

This piece is a representation of Matariki. The pouwhakairo (Traditional māori carving) design was used to showcase the traditional look and capsulate the story of Matariki along with her 8 children. The Manaia figures that surround her were created to symbolize her children. The subtle pūhoro design in the background represents the journey Matariki took through the various realms along with many obstacles and challenges endured to reach the night sky. The Tāniko design on either side of her represents the bind from te ao wairua, the spiritual realm to te ao marama physical realm.