With all the world’s interest in last years Rugby World Cup, if you visited Eden Park, you couldn’t miss the amazing tekoteko, three demensional Māori carvings standing guard at the various entrances.

They are the work of master caver and moko artist Arekatera Maihi, also known as Katz.  Of Ngati Whatua descent, Katz is the 100th graduate of the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute in Rotorua – Te Puia.  He was invited to carve the four tekoteko leading to the start of the Rugby World Cup 2011.

The video explains the making of the tekoteko and the story behind them.

Katz’s inspiration came from the story of Rangi, the sky father, and Papatuanuku, the earth mother, whose children separated used four pillars to separate them and keep them apart.

Rangi and Papa had many children who were Atua Maori, or Maori gods. Katz chose four Atua – one to stand at each entrance – to represent Maori from east, west, south and north of New Zealand, and to honour Eden Park in its function as an international sporting arena.

For people coming to New Zealand, to Aotearoa, to visit, we couldn’t have done this any better. We’ve produced big, massive carvings for them to look at – they’re definitely going to know they’re here.

Katz Maihi, 2010.

 

Find out more about Katz Maihi and his work at Toitu Design