Tāwhirimātea in the Ferry Terminal
On the morning of Friday 11th June, this beautiful mural of Tāwhiritmātea - God of Weather, illustrated by Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland artist Trina Wirihana, co-owner of AKO Te Reo Learning Resources, was welcomed into the Devonport Ferry Terminal. Members of the Te Taua Moana Marae called together onlookers using a pukaea (conch shell) before conducting a mihi (greeting) to our manuhiri (guests).
The mural was then blessed, beginning with the sounding of two Pukea (war trumpets) which represent the breath of Tawhirimatea as he bashed his brothers after the separation of his parents Papatūānuku (earth mother) and Ranginui (sky father). Navy Chaplin Glen Popata then proceeded with karakia. Dianne Hale, Chair of the Devonport Business Association and Cam Mitchell-Sissler of Auckland Transport then shared a bit about the piece, how it came to be located in Devonport, specifically in the Ferry Terminal, and what it means to have beautiful art in our town centre.
About the Piece:
With funding received from Auckland Council - Creative Communities NZ Fund it was purchased by the Devonport Business Association, in preparation for the festivities surrounding the 36th America's Cup Presented by PRADA in February 2021. Originally intended to be part of a larger installation, the depiction of Tāwhirimātea displayed here, inside the Devonport Ferry Terminal, is a nod to Devonport's connection to the sea, the wind and boats
About The Artist:
As a child Trina dreamed of being an illustrating artist, and from childhood through adulthood has worked with many different modalities from sketching to water colours, sign writing to book illustration.
As a young mother, she created 100 original watercolour paintings which became the first series of her 10 Maui Legends’ books. Her partner helped produce these first books, which were sold to local schools. Over the years Trina, along with her partner, has grown their business into developing interactive learning boards and making laser cut wooden puzzles.
Trina has designed many wall art panels and we are very fortunate to have this piece here in Devonport.
The Story of Tāwhirimātea:
In Māori mythology, Tāwhirimātea is the god of weather, including thunder and lightning, wind, clouds and storms. He is a son of Papatūānuku (earth mother) and Ranginui (sky father). Tāwhirimātea is the second oldest of 7 children, all of whom are boys. In his anger at his brothers for separating their parents, Tāwhirimātea destroyed the forests of Tāne (god of forests), drove Tangaroa (god of the sea) and his progeny into the sea, pursued Rongo and Haumia-tiketike till they had to take refuge in the bosom of their mother Papa, and only found in Tūmatauenga a worthy opponent and eternal enemy.