This beautifully carved taurapa (sternpost) is part of the renowned waka (canoe), Te Toki a Tapiri. In one tradition, spiders were said to have carved the stern and prow of the first waka. That is why the web-like spiral form (known as mata kupenga) features so prominently on the stern and prow of many canoes.
Using this item
Auckland War Memorial Museum Tamaki Paenga Hira
Permission of the Auckland War Memorial Museum Tamaki Paenga Hira must be obtained before any re-use of this image.
Add new comment