Pūawaitanga o te Ringa - Fruits of our busy hands is the name given to the series of tukutuku panels that were specially woven as a community project for the Ngā Pounamu Māori Centre which was created as a result of the 2001-02 refurbishment of the Central Library on Gloucester Street.
To everyone who worked on this project we warmly express our thanks to you all for the wairua and manaakitanga generously given to breathe life into the Ngā Pounamu Māori Centre on the 2nd floor in Christchurch Central Library. Tihei Mauri Ora!
The Puawaitanga o te Ringa booklet was compiled by Rhonda Thomson and Patricia Wallace, with photographs and additional material from staff at Christchurch Waterways, Christchurch City Libraries and members of Nga Puna Waihanga.
This community project was facilitated by Ngā Puna Waihanga, Waitaha - Tai Poutini with funding assistance from Creative New Zealand Creative Communities, Christchurch City Council and Christchurch City Libraries.
Pūawaitanga o te Ringa
E ngā tīpuna o te mahi raranga,
Kotui, tukutuku, tēnā koutou.
Tēnei ā koutou tamariki
e whai ana i nga tapuae o Hine-te iwaiwa.
Tiakina mai,
arahina mai mātou
e kimi nei i te mātauranga
i waiho i a koe hei taonga mō te ao.
Editor: Patricia Wallace
Assistant Editor: Haneta Pierce
Te Reo Editor: Nekerangi Paul
ISBN 0-908868-23-5
Published by Christchurch City Libraries,
Christchurch, New Zealand, 2003
Helen Tabak
It was the wish of Ngā Puna Waihanga member, Helen Tabak, to learn how to weave tukutuku that had initially started this project. She took a vital part in the whole process, giving her own particular expertise to its development. Her enthusiasm and her contribution were essential parts of the undertaking. It was therefore a devastating shock to all who had worked with her to discover that she chose to end her own life in April 2002. Her decision seemed incomprehensible, and her colleagues were additionally disappointed that she did not see the fruits of her labours. She was remembered with great sadness when the panels were officially unveiled, and one, Ngā Heke Iho, was dedicated to her memory. Nō reira, haere atu rā e hoa aroha, haere ki te pō, haere, haere, haere.
This page reproduces information from page 1 and 2 of the booklet Pūawaitanga o te Ringa - Fruits of our busy hands
