Waka Huia

- By Tim Codyre

Tim is a carver local to Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland, in Aotearoa / New Zealand.

Waka huia are treasure containers made by Māori. These treasure containers stored a person's most prized personal possessions, such as hei-tiki (pendants), feathers for decorating and dressing the hair such as the tail feathers of the huia, heru (hair comb) and other items of personal adornment.

Waka huia were imbued with the tapu of their owners because the boxes contained personal items that regularly came into contact with the body, particularly the head.

Waka huia were designed to be suspended from the low hanging ceiling of the whare where the beautifully carved and decorated undersides could be appreciated. They were highly prized in themselves and carefully treasured as they passed between generations. As taonga waka huia are often gifted between hapū (sub-tribes), whānau (families), and individuals to acknowledge relationships, friendships, and other significant social events.

Waka huia have an elongated oval shape, similar to the shape of a waka.

Dimensions:
Length - 430mm x Depth - 110mm x Height - 95mm