Te_Rakau_O_Te_Ora

Rakau o te Ora The painting depicts the whakapapa of Hauora. The tree, represents this concept of whakapapa…. the symbols in the tree represent all of those involved in the business no matter how small or great their role, position or their capacity. Some strong who lead the way and others who support in minor roles all play a part and all have skills and talents that up lift and add to the organisation. The tree is rooted into the whenua of Wairarapa those skills and talents are therefore left to their descendants and the rohe continues to benefit from their efforts…. The Wahine has been named Hinepare after Billy Gemmel who was one of the original drivers of Hauora… She Represents the business and services that Hauora provides. Her korowai is adorned by the knowledge and skills that Hauora carry with them to impact the lives of their clients. She stands on the whenua and her influence is felt over the land from the South of Wairarapa to the North… The Pou represents the many and great ones… inspired by the Pou at Papawai that depict our Wairarapa Chiefs… this one I call Koro Kuki our recently deceased Wairarapa Chief… but it is representative of them all, who’s greatness was defined not by how much they have but by how much they gave…. Finally in the tree there are those who have passed on…. these symbols in the tree all have the niho taniwha pattern that shows the greatness or the chiefliness of the many patrons, Kuia and Kaumatua have exemplified… The Manaia symbol is based on the logo of the business designed by Koro Taka and so the Mania I refer to as ‘Koro Taka’ stands for the men who have passed through the veil to the spirit world… Finally, Carol who is depicted by the Tui, when she passed away her body was taken in the car around the former Hauora premises and stopped for a time before going to the Marae where her family had laid before her. While there a two tui came down and flew around us…. One we believe to be Carol and the other her sister Rawinia… hence the tui depicts Carol Mihiroa Fox as a symbol of all the women of Hauora who have departed through the veil and as with the men join us in spirit when needed.