Kaupeka has many meanings like to branch out, section or part and it is also a term that means season or the lunar month that Māori followed. Tae can mean to reach out, extend to arrive or colour. Both depend on the context. Giving this hoarding design a wide scope for interpretation.
Each section of pattern can relate to sections within your building or business. The Māori patterns are derived from the traditional art practices of whakairo (carving), kōwhaiwhai (painted scroll ornamentation – commonly used on meeting house rafters) and raranga (weaving).
Some of the kōwhaiwhai used are mangopare (the hammerhead shark) known for its tenacity and resilience, Koru representing a new beginning and growth, and pūhoro representing speed and whakapapa (genealogy).
Whakairo patterns that have been stylized come from Maui – so named because it depicts a fish hook like the one Maui used to fish up the North Island. Maui was resourceful, tenacious and adventurous, Rauponga taken from the fern leaf, and Rauru a spiral pattern for potential.
Weaving patterns include the Poutama symbolic of attainment, learning and growth, Niho taniwha which represents chieftainship, strength and history, Aramoana the wave pattern symbolizing communication and lastly Pātiki the flounder pattern a symbol of hospitality and caring for people.
These hoarding designs are an acknowledgment to the creativity of mana whenua and their connection to the environment. The colours of the images reflect the ebbs and flows of the seasons of the city, as well as the many textures that can be found around the city as it evolves with the post-earthquake rebuild.
Design partner: Ariki Creative(external link)
Download the Kaupeka Tae design files
- Kaupeka Tae examples [PDF, 1.1 MB]
- Kaupeka Tae hoarding 1A [EPS, 165MB](external link)
- Kaupeka Tae hoarding 1B [EPS, 76MB](external link)<
- Kaupeka Tae hoarding 2A [EPS, 31MB](external link)
- Kaupeka Tae hoarding 2B [EPS, 37MB](external link)
- Kaupeka Tae hoarding 2C [EPS, 42MB](external link)
- Kaupeka Tae hoarding 2D [EPS, 76MB](external link)
- Kaupeka Tae hoarding 3A [EPS, 27MB](external link)
- Kaupeka Tae hoarding 3B [EPS, 55MB](external link)
- Kaupeka Tae hoarding 4A [EPS, 14MB](external link)
- Kaupeka Tae hoarding 4B [EPS, 20MB](external link)