Explanation of Public Art Tukutuku Panel process

Set up of the panels at the Whakatu Weaving Studio

Pattern = Poutama – meaning the steps to knowledge or the stairway to heaven Panel tahi (one) Kakariki (Green) for the Ngahere (bush) Tawa (Purple) for the maunga (mountain) Panel rua (two) Kowhai (yellow) for the oneone (beach) and kahurangi (blue) for the moana (sea) Materials: Panels were made of pegboard and frames and mouldings were pine These were constructed and painted. Strips of harakeke (flax) were used to enable the public to work easily and to finish the panels quickly. This was a contemporary construction to provide ease of use to the public working on the panels. Tukutuku panels consist of vertical stakes (traditionally made of kākaho), horizontal rods (traditionally made of stalks of bracken-fern or thin strips of tōtara wood), and flexible material of flax, kiekie and pīngao, which form the pattern. Process: Tahi was constructed with members of the public and Whakatu marae working in the Whakatu weaving studio Rua was work of the public in the studio and at the Tohu Arts market

Bronwynn Billens and Aunty working in the Whakatu weaving studio

Completed Tahi at Whakatu weaving studio

Members of the public work on Rua (Tohu arts market)

Public engaged in the Tukutuku process (Tohu arts market)