‘Te Hei Matau a Taramainuku’ The Fish Hook of Taramainuku
$6,600.00
Artist: Ngahiwi Walker
2026
Totara/Feathers/Natural fibre cordage/Black wood stain/Linseed oil
2400mm x 560mm x 50mm
SKU 16621
Taramainuku is the captain of Te Waka o Rangi – the canoe of the Skyfather.
Each night Taramainuku casts his giant fishing net Te Kupenga down towards Earth to gather the souls of the many deceased where, at each Matariki, he releases the souls to Pohutukawa who, at the arrival of Matariki, releases them into the heavens to become Ngā Whetū o Ranginui – stars of the Skyfather.
Te Matau a Taramainuku, however, is the spiritual fish hook that trails behind the waka at the tip of the kurakura – rear floating adornment – gathering up any of the lost souls that may have been inadvertently left behind.
The intricate taura – ropework – represents the connectedness we have to those who have passed beyond the veil to become stars in the heavens. The rope, if it stretched up to the heavens, creates a continuous line of connection to our loved ones who rest with Pohutukawa. It also represents that, although a single strand alone may be broken easily, many strands woven together create strength in unity.
The 11 feathers in the taura represent the Apakura and Mariekura – guardians of Ngā Rangi Tūhāhā – the separated heavens in Māori cosmology – as they guide the spirits to each heaven to become stars in the night sky of Ranginui.
The darkened colour of the matau represents Te Pō Nui – the great darkness – in the night sky of Ranginui. It also acknowledges the present and highlights the damage we are doing to Papatūānuku – Earth Mother – through climate change, war and other factors.
The two koru standing back to back, inspired by the fern frond, are a fundamental symbol in Māori art and storytelling. These two koru represent 1. Rejuvenation and 2. Harmony.
Metaphorically, Te Matau a Taramainuku doesn’t just represent never leaving anyone behind. It reminds us that each of us matter and are important. He tangata, he tangata, he tangata – it is people, it is people, it is people.
Manawatia a Matariki – let us celebrate the rising of Matariki.
In stock
