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Takitimu

Preparation of Papa-whare or Foundation of a House

Preparation of Papa-whare or Foundation of a House.

It is, according to Maori belief, a most unlucky act to prepare a site for a new house and then abandon it for another. It is an unwarrantable interference with the body of the Earth Mother, also builders must work continuously at a house, and attend to nothing else until the house is finished. Even to the present day there are superstitious remarks that the death of the late Hata Tipoki (who was the chief and leader of the people in the page break
The Main Entrance of Takitimu House Showing the Mahau (verandah) and the carved doorway representingRongomai-wahine, the famous ancestress.

The Main Entrance of Takitimu House
Showing the Mahau (verandah) and the carved doorway representing
Rongomai-wahine, the famous ancestress.

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The Interior of Takitimu House Taken from the back, or stage end.

The Interior of Takitimu House
Taken from the back, or stage end.

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Placement of the Names of Figures of the Takitimu House
Commencing from the Back of the Western Corner of
the House.

  • Name of Ancestors.

    1.—Tu-Whare-Toa
    2.—Pikiao
    3.—Ngaherehere
    4.—Pourangahua
    5.—Te-O-Tane
    6.—Taraia
    7.—Te Whati-Apiti
    8.—Rongo-Whakaata
    9.—Kahutapere
    10.—Konohi
    11.—Tupai
    12.—Mahaki
    13.—Whakarau
    14.—Tuhoe-Potiki
    15.—Rangi-Te-Ao-Rere
    16.—Uenuku-Kopako
    17.—Tama-Te-Rangi
    18.—Tapuwae
    19.—Rangi-nui
    20.—Whiti-Kaupeka
    21.—Tahu-Matua
    22.—Tamanuhiri
    23.—Kahukura-Nui
    24.—Rakai-Paka
    25.—Te Huki
    26.—Kurahikakawa
    27.—Hikairo
    28.—Tu-A-Pawa
    29.—Tama-I-Uia
    30.—Rangi-Tane
    31.—Te Rehunga
    32.—Te Kapua-Matotoru
    33.—Hauiti
    34.—Pakanui
    35.—Maniapoto
    36.—Kurawari
    37.—Ruapani
    38.—Rongo-Kako
    39.—Tamatea-Pokai-Whenua
    40.—Tawake
    41.—Tamahine-Ngaro
    42.—Turi
    43.—Ruanui
    44.—Tara
    45.—Te Matuahanga
    46.—Te Kawiti
    47.—Paoa
    48.—Apanui-Mutu
    49.—Puhi-Kai-Ariki
    50.—Muri-Whenua
    51.—Te Wera Hauraki
    52.—Tama-Te-Kapua
    53.—Ngatoroi-Rangi
    54.—Hotu-Roa
    55.—Ra-Katauri
    56.—Toroa
    57.—Tama-Ki-Hikurangi
    58.—Mahina-A-Rangi
    59.—Raukawa
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Other Figures

  • On the right-hand side "Maihi," or barge-board, is the picture of the Takitimu Canoe.
  • And on the "Ama," or slab supporting the maihi, are two figures: On top, Tamatea-ariki-nui (Captain of the Takitimu canoe); Bottom, Ruawharo (Priest of the Takitimu canoe).
  • On the left-hand side "Maihi" is the picture of the Horouta Canoe.
  • And on the "Ama," or slap supporting the maihi, are two figures: On top, Pawa (Captain of the Horouta canoe); Bottom, Kiwa (Priest of the Horouta canoe).
  • On top of "Maihi," or bargeboards, is the "Tiki," named Kahungunu.
  • On top of the door lintel is the "Pare," named Rongomai-wahine.
  • At the back of the right-hand side of the wall is the figure Hine-Matioro.
  • And at the foot of the flagpole is the figure named Tu-Tane-Kai.
page 201 erection of the Takitimu House) was attributable to his consenting to have the house built at Te Uhi (where now the Taihoa Hall is built), and afterwards insisting in building it at the original proposed site at Wai-hirere where the house now stands.

We will now note how a superior house, a whare whakairo, or carved house was built. The levelling of the floor space was done by the eyes as well as they could, and then, to find out any uneven spots, the builders waited for a shower of rain and then took note of where the pools lay. Having levelled the site, the four corners of the oblong building were marked by means of stout pegs driven firmly into the earth, those marking the rear end of the house being first inserted. This rectangular space was squared by means of measuring the diagonals. The cord employed was termed taura ta-tai. A cord was carried right around the rectangular site outside the four pegs, and, when stretched taut, this cord served as a guide in aligning the wall posts of ends and sides, as also the posts erected at the front and rear walls to support the ridgepole.

A house depended for stability on the ridgepole. The side posts were not designed to bear the weight and the thrust of the roof, hence, the ridgepole and its supporting posts were baulks of a considerable size, hewn into shapely form with much labour. The rear post for the ridgepole, the pou-tuarongo, was erected in the middle of the rear wall, while the pou-tahuhu was in the middle of the front wall. If a large house, a third supporting post for the ridgepole (tahuhu) was set up in the middle of the house; this is the pou-toko-manawa (or heart supporting-post). The walls of our superior house were composed of wide, flat slabs or planks (poupou) of hewn timber set in the earth, while the spaces between the slabs were lined with decorative panels to be described anon. The roof was supported by massive hewn rafters (heke) the lower ends of which were fitted into the upper ends of the poupou, the mortice hole made to receive them being a square one, called waha-paepae, or semicircular, termed whakaruar-whetu. It is noted that rafters of such a house are often curved somewhat, not straight hewn, the convex side being uppermost. The upper ends of the rafters were so fashioned as to fit against the ridgepole, being provided with a shoulder The ridgepole was, in some districts, secured to its supporting posts by strong ties of aka, or vines, that fitted into channels on the posts. In some districts, we are told, that they were hollowed to accommodate the curve of the under part of the ridgepole. No form of nail was known; lashing supplied their place.