The Story Behind Our Tukutuku
Puawaitanga o te ringa - fruits of our busy hands
The tradition of tukutuku
Tukutuku panels are a traditional Māori artform.
They are decorative wall panels that were once part of the traditional wall construction used inside the meeting house.
The tukutuku panels are placed between the carved wall slabs of the wharenui, and, like the carvings, convey a complex language of visual symbols.
Traditional tukutuku is made by creating a latticework of vertically and horizontally placed dried stalks from kāākaaho, the creamy gold flower stalks of toetoe grass and karaka, long straight fern stalks or wooden laths of rimu or totara, known as kaho taro or kaho tarai.
Panels were lashed or stitched together. This was done by people working in pairs from either side, using the rich yellow strands of piingao, white bleached or black-dyed kiekie, and sometimes harakeke, to create a range of intricate and artistic patterns. Stitches were combined to form a variety of patterns.
Tukutuku patterns vary considerably from iwi to iwi throughout the land. Many forms are related to mythologies, or as in the case of the Healthvision tukutuku, portray a story.
The art of tukutuku weaving is at risk. It is a time-consuming craft that demands patience and persistence.
Special thanks to our mangai o manakitanga whanau for the tukutuku which are displayed at our Auckland, Tauranga and Waikato offices.
AUCKLAND OFFICE
Our tukutuku in the Auckland office represents te ao hurihuri - an ever evolving world. It was gifted to the Auckland office in 2019.
PANUKU PANU – TOP PANEL
the opening to newness, reformation and regeneration
The koru is the spiral shape based on the appearance of a new unfurling silver fern frond. The koru is an integral symbol in Māori art, carving and tattooing, where it symbolises new life, growth, strength and peace.
This piece is the creation of Maureen Harte, who attributes her love of harakeke as a child growing up around it, playing with it and, as time has passed, her yearning for it. Maureen learnt about harakeke as a student at Polytechnic Te Puia, Rotorua. Inspirations of her mahi are from her home, westside of Golden Bay near Farewell Spit. “It’s wild, windy and rugged. When the tide goes out, the sands stretch a long way. The beautiful landscape is the beginning of my inspiration – wild sands weaving.”
TE PANU MIHANA – MIDDLE PANEL
kei waenganui ko koe - at the centre is you
When we put our clients and staff at the centre of everything that we do, nurture and support them, we will create sustainable and significant growth.
In this panel, the blue and white wave-like centre represents whanui (wide) support. The turquoise square signifies one’s journey and the white triangular formations represents the ups and downs physically, mentally and emotionally we experience throughout this journey. The surrounding blue and grey streaks symbolises the support by many. These elements are framed within white solid lines which represents the leadership and ability to inspire from key decision-makers.
The white saw-edged, symmetrical arrows (niho taniwha) represents resilience, strength and fortitude to overcome life’s obstacles.
RARO PANU – BOTTOM PANEL
newness reflected
This panel is a mirror image or reflected duplication that appears almost identical to the top panel.
It reiterates new life, growth, strength and peace, which are important elements to inner tranquillity, revitalisation, healing and improvement.
BAY OF PLENTY OFFICE
On 7 August 2020, at the opening of the Healthvision Bay of Plenty office in Tauranga, two tukutuku were unveiled.
ME MAHI TAHI TAATOU MOO TE ORANGA O TE KATOA – CONNECTION
The diamond in the middle of this tukutuku represents the client, at the centre of our focus. Within the diamond is the circle of life that throws out to the wider links. They are enclosed within the security of the white net. Outside the white net, additional nets symbolise growth.
WHAIA TE ITI KAHURANGI – REACH YOUR GOALS
Regardless of how big our world extends, we will always fly high and cherish, celebrate and embrace Healthvision’s four values for all to see.
kaitiaki professional We can be trusted to deliver high-quality services
auaha innovative We are passionate about making a meaningful difference
manaaki caring We act with kindness, respect and empathy
kotahi collaborative Together we can achieve the best
WAIKATO OFFICE
ko te waiora o te katoa he mea nui – The Wellbeing of All People is Paramount
The tukutuku unveiled at the opening of our Waikato office on 10 February 2022, represents the three kete (baskets) of matauranga maori (knowledge), whakapono (faith), and kai (food).
The white, saw-edged, symmetrical arrows are inspired from the rooftops of Tamahere Village and symbolise protection and shelter for all who visit.
The outer scallop design of changing colours - green, blue, and purple - depict Tangaroa (God of the Sea); the valued history of our ancestors that give way to whakapapa (genealogy) and provide an abundance of food that sustain us.
The green and white interlocking weave pattern represents the different cultures within Healthvision. The standalone green of tangata whenua, all of which support the hopes, desires and wellbeing of our clients, staff and whanau (nga tumanako o tangata turoru o hauora).
