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Story: Ngāti Porou

Gable carving

Image
Gable carving

This tekoteko (carved gable figure) is believed to depict Tauheikurī, the daughter of Kahungunu, and one of her sons, Māhaki, who gave rise to the tribe Te Aitanga-a-Māhaki. Since Kahungunu was a direct descendant of Porourangi, this carving shows the link between Ngāti Porou and Te Aitanga-a-Māhaki.

Using this item

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Reference: B.018499

Permission of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page

Tamati Muturangi Reedy, Ngāti Porou – Ancestors, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/646/gable-carving (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Tamati Muturangi Reedy, published 4 March 2009, updated 1 March 2017.