We see Te Pou as our Rangatira (chief) and Kaitiaki (guardian). Here's the story behind the Tupuna (ancestors) on our Te Pou.
Te Kawerau a maki, our chief sits at the top of Te Pou. Te Kawerau a maki also represents our school value Mātauranga (wisdom, ancestral knowledge., sharing of knowledge).
Te Kawerau a maki had the wisdom to recognise that Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland) would be a great place for his people to settle.
When you look at Te Pou you can see that Te Kawerau a Maki is holding a kete (weaved bag). The kupu (word) for a strap to carry a kete, is kawerau. This refers to the bag of kumara or the 'bag of people' - the carrying strap of the iwi.
The tupuna (ancestor) below Te Kawerau a Maki is Mātahu. Mātahu is the younger brother of Te Kawerau a Maki and a renowned warrior.
Te au o te whenua sits at the bottom of Te Pou. He is a descendant of Maki. His sole focus was for the good of the people. He worked to stop fighting between the three iwi of Ngapuhi, Ngati Whātua and Te Kawerau ā Maki.
The name, Te au o te whenua can be translated as - the current of the land.
Te au o te whenua also represents our school value, whanaungatanga - creating a family like context, bringing people together, building relationships .
