Our Tohu

The story of our tohu begins with our name, Whakatupu Aotearoa Foundation, gifted to us by Brad Haami (Ngāti Awa, Ngāti Kahungunu, Tūwharetoa, Ngāi Tahu).

The whakaaro behind the name speaks of a gift of generosity. The gift is a seed planted in fertile ground (whakatō), and is given the nutrients it needs to grow. This is the essence of the name Whakatupu. The tupu is the sprout above the ground that is nurtured – enabling it to grow from the soil (oneone) so that it may flower, bear fruit, and produce seeds to begin the cycle again.

The development of our tohu

Cultural guidance and the design development of our tohu was provided by Whetūmaiangi under the leadership of Skye Kimura (Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Whitikaupeka, Ngāti Raukawa, Taranaki) and Mike Dorsey, respectively. Our name, and our intentions as an organisation – including our vision and purpose; our history; and where we have come to on our journey so far – were the elements that Tohunga Artist Louis Mikaere (Ngai Te Rangi) considered in developing the artistic direction from which the design of our tohu evolved.

Designs were created by Eruwhiti Davies (Ngāi Tūhoe, Te Aitanga a Māhaki, Te Whānau a Kai, Te Whānau a Apanui, Ron­gowhakaata, Te Arawa) and Eruera Tū (Ngāti Tūhoe) of Whetūmaiangi. Refinements were made through kōrero with our Board – Glen Tupuhi (Ngāti Pāoa ki Waiheke, Ngati Hine, Ngati Naho o Waikato, Ngāti Rangimahora, Ngāti Apakura), Geof Nightingale and David McLay; and our founders Wendy and Ian Kuperus.

The elements of our tohu

The three koru stand upright depicting growth – moving forward in an upwards direction. The large koru represents Whakatupu Aotearoa Foundation. The two smaller koru are connected to it and represent future generations. They are nurtured by the large koru. The koru are anchored in, and spring from, the whenua – represented by the positive space below the two small koru. The environment is represented by the space above the three koru. The whenua and the environment provide sustenance. One can’t exist without the other. The Ara is the bridge that Whakatupu Aotearoa Foundation provides, enabling the tupu to flourish.

Photo: A koru of an emerging ponga fern, Lake Matheson, New Zealand – Lou Lou B Photo on Unsplash