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Overview
The taurapa forms the stern-piece of a waka (canoe), particularly a superior class of waka such as a waka-taua (war canoe). The principle taurapa design pattern is the pitau (black tree fern: Cyathea medullaris) or takarangi (dizzy) spiral.
Carved figures
At the base of the taurapa sits a carved human-like figure - puhi-kai-ariki - an ancestral atua (deity) who oversees the crew. From under puhi-kai-ariki extend two curved, rib-like forms that run about three quarters of the length of the taurapa. These represent the dual life principles of ira-atua (the gods) and ira-tangata (humankind). A manaia (stylised beaked figure) sits upon the taurapa.
Puhi-rere (feather streamers)
Taurapa were traditionally decorated with two long trains of kererū (native New Zealand pigeon: Hemiphaga novaezelandia) feathers. These feather trains would run from the inside base of the taurapa, up its length, across the top, and into the water behind the waka. They were sometimes referred to as puhi-rere. In his book The Maori Canoe, Elsdon Best explains: 'The upper puhi was fixed as a resting-place for the gods of the heavens, and named puhi-ariki (sometimes puhi-kai-ariki). The puhi at the base of the taurapa, touching the water, was arranged as a clinging-place for the gods of the ocean, and named puhi-moana-ariki.'
History
This taurapa was purchased from the Ngāti Toa tribe in 1861 by James MacKay (1831-1912), Assistant Native Secretary (1858-1876). It was said to have been part of the war canoe Kahutia-te-rangi, one of the canoes used by Te Rauparaha (the highly successful chief of Ngāti Toa) during campaigns against South Island tribes in the 1820s and 1830s. Kahutia-te-rangi was said to have been present at the siege of Kaiapoi pā, a famous Ngai Tahu stronghold that was burnt by Ngāti Toa in retaliation for the death of their ariki (paramount chief) Te Peehi Kupe and other chiefs on an earlier visit.