Te Ahikaaroa

VERANOA HETET
Harakeke
300mm (W) x 250mm (H)
Not For Sale

Over the past year I have tried to stay away from most Facebook pages.
I won’t name them here lest I be blasted on one of them lol. 

I am amazed at the ugly things some people say online and the absolute disdain they openly show towards Maori people and what we hold dear. Usually the comments come from people without their own face as a profile pic, without their own name and with very few followers. I’ve often rolled my eyes at the comments and thought  “We are not going anywhere!” 

This thought led to this pattern ‘Te Ahikaaroa - We are still here’

Based on the history of Iwi retaining lands through the ongoing burning of fire, I placed seven flames in this kete representing the many Iwi that come from the seven canoes that made their way here from Hawaiki so many years ago. The many Iwi that lit their fires and kept them burning and remain on their tribal homelands to this day.

Te Ahikaaroa - I show my face. I say my name. 
Te Ahikaaroa - We are still here. 
Te Ahikaaroa - We will remain