Tekoteko, Maihi and Amo - Pipitea Marae, Wellington

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(click on image for large view)

This is a photo of the tekoteko (head) and the right maihi (arm) and amo (leg) of the whare runanga (council house) of the Pipitea marae which is a few minutes drive from Wellington’s city centre. We had gone out to take a look at a furniture store and spotted the building across the road. It was a bit surprising to find a marae in and amongst office blocks and retail stores. I was always under the impression that they were all located either in the countryside or on the outskirts of a town or city.

For those of you who do not know what a marae is, it is a scared meeting place that is located in front of the whare runanga. It is a place of spiritual significance to Maori where they can meet to discuss and debate, celebrate to welcome the living and to bid farewell to their dearly departed.