At February’s all-staff Aronui-Focus 2020 event, all attendees were invited to make their own whiri (plait).
Tanya White, our Kaitiaki – Taiao, Maia Māori Centre, who led the activity, collected the more than 400 whiri that the group made, and has spent the past few weeks completing the whatu (weaving them together) to create one large piece. While we were on campus, a number of people dropped in to learn how to whatu and help Tanya with the process.
The end result is a beautiful, unique raranga (woven artwork) that includes a contribution from all of our staff who attended February’s event.
See the full artwork in the video below (includes sound).
A shared contribution to a unified goal
Tanya said it was great watching everyone working together, connecting with each other, and connecting with Rangimarie pā harakeke (flax and surrounding area).
Staff making their whiri (plaits) at the staff event in February
“I saw that the emergence of our woven taonga through collective process, was a manifestation of Te Noho Kotahitanga values and principles in action. Each plaited whiri represents a valued and unique individual contribution, that is then woven together with the whatu stitch to demonstrate the strength of a unified work.”
We’re now inviting you to send your ideas for a name for our artwork. It will be displayed in a prominent place on campus (to be decided).
Submit your idea(s) here
Whaea Tanya with Tumu Glenn Mckay, demonstrating how to whiri
The name could reflect the following:
- The shared contribution of each individual towards a unified goal
- Te Noho Kotahitanga
- Manaakitia te rito (renewal strategy)
- Manaaki whenua (caring for the land) and our relationships to te taiao (the environment)
- Aspects of raranga (weaving), whatu
- Other ideas you think will represent the concept behind the artwork
Send your idea for a name now!
Ka rawe to mahi this is stunning. Thanks to Tanya for completing this taonga.
Kia ora Tanya – this artwork is tino ātaahua.
Te ataahua hoki. An amazing artwork and great that so many of us contributed to it’s making. Ngā mihi nui ki a koe Tanya. Thanks Tanya and everyone else who made this happen.
Kia ora, this is beautiful and somewhat timely in its completion now. Thank you Tanya
Mahi hirahira tēnei e te whaea. What a beautiful way to symbolise unity, te hononga tetahi ki tetahi. “We are stronger together” what a tag line whānau #Aronui
Kia ora, this is such a beautiful. It’s great to be part of something so special. Thank you Tanya #Aronui
Our beauiful Whaea Tanya who leads with humility and reverance our people at Unitec.
Thank-you.
Alofa Atu,
Yvonne