Reviews: Taonga O Ngā Atua

Review nā Ila Couch

When it was decided the beloved, century-old hall at Rāpaki was no longer safe for use or salvageable, opinions were divided on whether to replace the colonial-style building with a carved meeting house. Ultimately the will for a Whare whakairo prevailed and by 2010 the Whare Tīpuna o Wheke at Rāpaki Marae was completed. Taonga o Ngā Atua: Stories of Myths and Legends, Atua and Ancestors from Te Rāpaki o Te Rakiwhakaputa is an illustrated, easy to read, pukapuka by artist, author, and Rāpaki kaumātua Rewi Couch who brings to the page the pūrakau that have been woven, painted, and carved into the very fabric of Wheke.

Isla Couch (Ngāi Tahu –Te Hapū o Ngāti Wheke) is a multimedia producer, writer, and filmmaker based in Ōtautahi.

Opinions expressed in REVIEWS are those of the writers and are not necessarily endorsed by Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu.