Description

Mātakitaki Pā was once a flourishing and well-fortified location for tangata whenua until 1822 when Ngāpuhi came down and participated in the overthrow of the pā by musket force. This was the first introduction of musket battles into the Waikato of the time.

In 2022, to commemorate the reconciliation between hapū connected to the pā and members of Te Rūnanga o Ngāpuhi, James Webster was commissioned to create four pou whakairo hand-carved sculptures. Webster and his team of carvers developed the artwork with nearby Pūrekireki Marae, Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Hikairo and Waipā District Council.

James Webster is of Tainui and Te Arawa descent who has a number of artworks located in the Waipā district. He is a freelance multi-disciplined artist in bone, stone and wood whakairo, painting, taonga pūoro, karetao and tā moko.

Click on the image to view the collection of whakairo hand-carved sculptures.

Location

Mātakitaki Pā – Franklin Street State Highway 39, Pirongia.