Story: Whakairo – Māori carving

This magnificently carved pātaka (food storehouse) was painted by Charles Heaphy in 1842. It stood within the Ngāti Tama pā of Ōtumatua on the north Taranaki coast. The pātaka was mounted on twin poles to protect the contents from rats, and was reached by a notched pole with steps too far apart for rats to climb.