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Overview
This is one of two unique tauira (samplers) woven by Te Hikapuhi Wiremu Poihipi, a remarkable woman of Ngāti Te Rangiunuora, Ngāti Pikiao, and Ngāti Whakaue descent from the Rotorua district.
Te Hikapuhi Wiremu Poihipi
Known as Te Hikapuhi of Te Arawa, she was born in 1850, the daughter of Wiremu Poihipi and Harete Ngāputu. She married Alfred Clayton, a surveyor from Tasmania, with whom she had five of her seven children. A healer and midwife known for her knowledge of Māori medicine, Te Hikapuhi did not hesitate to use European medicines as well. She lived among Ngāti Raukawa at Otaki, and Ngāti Kahungunu in the Wairarapa. She was an accomplished weaver, and one of two Māori women tā moko (tattoo) exponents between 1900 and 1920.
Oppression
This was a time of enormous social change, with Māori laws and customs declining with each generation. The Tohunga Suppression Act 1907 was intended to turn Māori away from traditional medicine. In fact, it went further undermining their spiritual and philosophical values. A controversial figure, Te Hikapuhi was scrutinised by officials under the Act. Despite pressure, she asserted her right to maintain the practices of her ancestors. She died in 1931, and was buried at Te Wharetāinga Moko, near Lake Rotoiti.
Kete whakairo (finely woven kits)
Both samplers were woven for Augustus Hamilton, the director of the Colonial Museum, using patterns particular to kete whakairo. The names of the patterns, from left to right, are: purapura whetū (weaving pattern of stars), poutama (steps), tōrakaraka, whakakanae, whakatūtū (piled up), whakanihoniho (shoots), niho taniwha (monster's teeth), takitahi whakakoki, rau kumara, and kōwhiti whakakoki.