Pōwhiri
Pōwhiri, a collection of eight pou made from tanalised timber and stainless steel in 2000 by Donn Ratana, a longtime educator here at the University of Waikato. These pou were installed to mark the 40th anniversary of the University of Waikato School of Education. Standing 5m tall with a further 2m underground each pou represents teachers of past and present and form the Māori welcoming process called pōwhiri.
At the top of the curved drive, standing at the entrance of gate 5 to the university, is the kaikaranga. Wearing her stainless steel korowai she calls out along the ridge of the hill, welcoming all onto the grounds. Further down, weilding a taiaha, is the kaiwero who issues the challenge during the pōwhiri. And finally at the bottom of the drive just in front of the entrance to the faculty are the tangata whenua, the people of the land. Each has their own style and personality, bringing diversity to the group.
In true Donn Ratana fashion, the contemporary pou were made using modern tools. His preference to use power tools and non-traditional material for speed and flair is a nod to the changing parameters of Māori art and practices.
Pōwhiri is a cultural and spiritual process by which the tangata whenua, people of the land, welcome the manuhiri, visitors. It is a ritual framework within which Māori can share their protocols and practices. Far from being a trite ceremonial practice, pōwhiri move beyond the western concept of temporarily welcoming a person into a space. It welcomes guests and completely new visitors, known as waewae tapu or sacred feet, and connects them to that space to provide a sense of belonging.
Māori culture is reciprocity based, relying on the balance of push and pull, of call and response. Pōwhiri are part of a process of coming together, and it is integral that the manuhiri be well hosted and cared for. As the context of gatherings vary from situation to situation, pōwhiri are adapted to suit. The goal is that people gather together for a purpose, they are welcomed to that space and entrenched with a sense of belonging so as to ensure they feel comfortable enough to contribute actively in the push and pull of what is to be discussed, shared, or enacted. It moves the manuhiri from observer to participant.
It is in these ways that Donn’s piece Pōwhiri is theatrical. The pou constantly perform their welcome without expectation of reply, sending out the promise of hospitality to the constant flow of visitors and laying down a challenge that each guest must define for themselves. As one of the first buildings on the campus, supporters of the teachers college fought tooth and nail since 1958 to ensure Waikato had facilities for developing our educators. And now the pou stand both welcoming and challenging all those who choose to follow in their footsteps.