condensed discuss document expanded export feedback print share remove reset document_white enquire_white export_white report_white
discuss document export feedback print share gallery-landscape xml

Te kai ni wairau

human history
  • Ingoa Kē

    Thatching awl (English)

  • Kupu whakaahua

    Te kai ni wairau. Thatching awl. This kai ni wairau is used to make ato (pieces of thatch) forming the roof of dwellings. Ato are sourced from prepared te baa (coconut leaves) or baan ni kaina (pandanus leaves) that are soaked for up to three days then layered thickly together. When attached carefully these become water tight and are able to protect a dwelling for several years.

    The kai ni wairau is used to pierce the leaves which are then secured with te noko (coconut midrib) through the holes. This kai ni wairau is made of turtle bone shaped like a flat shard and ground to a sharp point at one end. It has a glossy textured surface. It is brown in colour.

  • Wāhi
  • Accession Number
    1936.295
  • Rā Tāpiringa
    1936
  • Tohu Tuakiri Kē

    22915.1 (ethnology)

    185 (Maude Collection)

  • Wāhanga
Te kai ni wairau; 1936.295; 22915.1, 185; Cultural… … Read more

Mātātuhi me ngā tuhinga

Mātātuhi

Taonga

E hangaia tonutia ana te kohinga tuihono a Tāmaki Paenga Hira; tāpirihia ai ngā whakahoutanga me ngā pūkete i ia wiki. I ētahi wā, kāore anō kia whakaūhia ngā pūkete e ngā kaimahi o Te Whare Taonga, tēnā pea he hapa kei roto i ngā kōrero.

The gift of curiosity

With unlimited free entry to all paid exhibitions, discounted event tickets and exclusive Member-only events, a Museum Membership is the gift that keeps on giving year-round.

SEE OPTIONS FROM $60

The gift of curiosity