Te Ara O Raureka

The Pathway of Raureka

Artwork at the office of BiPolar Support Canterbury

This panel is centred on the purakau of Raureka, and her journey from Te Tai Poutini (West Coast) to Nga Pakihi Whakatekateka o Waitaha (Canterbury Plains)

Raureka suffered from mental illness and yet alone she traversed the mountain pass of Noti Raureka (Browning Pass) and brought the treasured pounamu to this part of the island.
The theme of this tukutuku panel is based on the Patikitiki is a constellation of stars and its arrival signalled good times ahead.

Top third of tukutuku
Depicts the mountains, foothills, forests and valleys the Raureka travelled through during her journey eastward.

Centre of tukutuku
The Poutama pattern is used to illustrate the many rivers and streams that flow from the mountain region and create the trails, one of which Raureka followed. This pattern is used to also illustrate the pathways of our lives and our ascent to higher levels of learning.

Bottom third of tukutuku
Illustrates Raureka's arrival on the East Coast of the island. The central interkinking Patiki design depicts the many related people of the region who learnt from the purakau of Raureka and the benefit this provided in their lives, in particular discovery and use of the valuable pounamu.

Central design of tukutuku
This depicts Raureka herself based on a whai (string game) design called Wahine (woman). She is embraced by a korowai (cloak) to protect her from the elements and she carries in her backpack a pounamu from the Arahura River.

I signed my contract with them today - looking forward to setting up and running the BiPolar Support Youth Group - there was nowhere to turn to when I was young, so I hope that I can help the next generation - without patronising them ;-)