Carvings

At the opening of the building in 1949, there were only seven named poupou in "Kahungunu". These were the work of seven men who had completed the carving apprenticeship courses run by Master Carvers Pine and John Taiapa.

The main carvers of the marae:

Elliot Fairbanks. (USA) - Church Representative Supervisor Carver
John Taiapa (Ngati Porou) - Master Carver
Pine Taiapa (Ngati Porou) - Master Carver

Three different carvings styles may be seen in the meeting house, Arawa (Central North Island) Taranaki, and Ngati-Porou. The combination of these three different carving styles serves to illustrate the strong alliances between Ngāti-Kahungunu and the tribes of the three areas.

When an apprenticeship was completed, each carver was then able to select a Tipuna to depict in whakairo.

Those seven men and their carvings were as follows:

POUPOU

1. "Te Huki"

2. "Ruāwharo"

3. "Hikairo"

4. "Ranginui"

5. "Ruapani"

6. "Kahukuranu'"

7. "Hakota"

CARVER

Major Ben Christy M.C.
A Company (Ngâpuhi)
28th Mãori Battalion

Capt. Riki Smith
D Company
28th Mãori Battalion

Oliphant McKay
D Company
28th Maori Battalion

Anaru Kohu
Tauranga

Epanaia Christy
Nuhaka

Angus Christy
Nuhaka

Elliott Fairbanks
Utah, U.S.A.

DETAILS

Hapu: Ngāti Kauaha
Iwi: Kahungunu
Rakaipaaka

Hapu: Ngāti Hikairo
Iwi: Kahungunu

Iwi: Ngāti Rangi

Hapu: Ngâti Kauaha

Iwi: Kahungunu
Rakaipaaka

Hapu: Ngāti Kauaha
Iwi: Kahungunu
Rakaipaaka

LDS Missionary
(Artist/Sculptor)

Two other local returned servicemen joined the course soon after, and although the building was completed before they were able to work on an individual piece, over the years from 1947 until just recently they worked at their craft and were acknowledged as
"tohunga whakairo". They were:

Taka Pānere; D Company, 28th Māori Battalion
Dempsey Greening; D Company 28th Māori Battalion

Both men were Ngāti Rakaipaaka/Ngati Kahungunu of Nuhaka.

In the late 1970s, early 1980's when the meeting house was gifted to the Community, Carver Capt. Riki Smith approached the local pakeke and koroua, suggesting a list of names for the unnamed poupou.

Following much discussion, Riki Smith presented the following names for the poupou on the two side walls starting at the doorway. The major Poupou in the meeting house today are identified as:

History