Mural Masterpieces – Ahipara School

Location:
On the Te Rarawa Rugby club fence facing the main road, opposite Ahipara School, Ahipara.

Team:
Year 7 and 8 students and art teacher Kim Subritzky.

Accessible to public:
Yes.

Mural theme:
How Ahipara got its name.

Background to mural creation:
Many years ago, two of the tribes in the North were Te Rarawa and Te Aupouri. These two tribes were constantly at war over the ownership of the Te Oneroa a Tohe (90 mile beach). They had many battles over the possession of the beach and it was eventually the chief PŌROA of Te Rarawa who pushed Te Aupouri towards the Northern end of the beach.

PŌROA scribed or drew a mark, a line across the beach as a boundary for both tribes. Te Aupouri were to stay to the North of the line and Te Rarawa were to stay to the South.

To further cement the peace between the two tribes PŌROA was given a wife, a lady of chiefly status from the ranks of Te Aupouri. Her name was WHANGATAUATIA. When PŌROA returned to his own pa near the Southern end of the beach he renamed his pa WHANGATAUATIA in honour of his wife.

Peace between the tribes reigned for many years, and eventually PŌROA died. Such was his great mana, a tapu was put on the beach for one year. During this time a RAHUI, a ban, was put on the gathering of all birds, fish and shellfish.

When the TAPU was lifted, a great feast was held, and as was customary in those days, the first fish and shellfish caught and taken, were cooked over a special fire, and karakia (prayers) were said over the food. This food was then placed in a certain place as an offering.

It was from this offering that AHIPARA was named.

AHI – meaning fire

PARAPARA – the roasted fish that was put aside as an offering