Whatanoa gateway at Waikato Stadium
The Philosophy behind the Whatanoa Gateway
Great night shot of Whatanoa Gateway
The carved Whatanoa Gateway at the entrance to the Stadium was unveiled on 3 February 2004, by Mr. Hare Puke, Senior Kaumatua of Ngati Wairere and Chairman of Nga Mana Toopu O Kirikiriroa. The gateway was produced by Nga Mana Toopu O Kirikiriroa and is the first such structure to be erected in any New Zealand sporting stadium. It is named Whatanoa in commemoration of the ancient Ngati Wairere Pa and burial ground that once existed near the stadium.
In pre-European times a Waharoa or carved entrance, guarded the entrance to the upper, tapu terraces of a fortified pa. Before going into battle the warriors passed through the Waharoa to show their commitment to defending the Mana of the tribe. Hence, by analogy, by passing under the Whatanoa Gateway, the supporters show their commitment to their team, province and sport.
The design of the gateway includes six concepts:
There are a number of significant elements included in the carvings on the gateway. One is the Kotiate, a small war club, which is depicted on the emblems of the Super 14, Chiefs and the Waikato Rugby Union. The Kotiate are held by the figures at the top of the gate up-rights. These figures depict Hanui and Hotumauea, two famous Tainui warriors who lived during the late1600's and who were invincible in the art of hand-to-hand combat.
The carvings on the Gateway also commemorate the ancient traditions and landmarks of the Waikato Tainui Tribe, and particularly the Ngati Wairere hapu upon whose traditional lands the Waikato stadium is built.
The Gateway is painted in colours reminiscent of the traditional ochre colours with which pre-European Maori painted such tapu structures. The Gateway design and carving styles follow those seen in the Waikato up to the 1840's.
The Whatanoa Gateway symbolizes passion, determination and dedication of ancient Maori warriors and modern day sports players. The Whatanoa gateway links the past to the future, and welcomes all to the Waikato Stadium, the City of Hamilton and the Waikato province.
Whatanoa gateway backdrop for Warriors open training
The figures and patterns on the gateway.
UENUKU: The top gable figure.
The gable figure that stands at the central apex of the gateway depicts Uenuku. He was a sacred tribal deity associated with warfare and valor in battle and was the most supreme ancient Maori god. Pre-European Tainui believed Uenuku appeared as a rainbow; hence the rainbow painted below the feet of the carved figure.
The small two-toned carved lizard, below the rainbow, is a Tainui symbol of sacredness and protection.
MAIHI: The bargeboards or cross beams.
A representation of the Waikato River is carved on the right-hand Maihi and the Waipa River on the left. Each river carving is painted green and has a notched pattern carved in it symbolizing Niho Taniwha, the teeth of the Taniwha.
The dark green painted patters along the top edges of both Maihi shows some of the mountains and hill ranges of the Waikato hinterland (Taupiri, Karioi, Pirongia, Maungatautari and Hangawera). They symbolize the depth of character of the essence of Waikato Maori and the people of the Waikato who relate to them.
The carved serrations on the bottom edge of each bargeboard represent Waikato people's Whakapapa links to the land.
Whatanoa gateway under construction
"Waikato Taniwharau": Waikato of many monsters or chiefs.
These words carved on the left bargeboard is a Whakatauki (proverb) recording that in pre-European times there was a Chief, represented by a Taniwha, on every bend of the Waikato River. This saying illustrates the Mana of the Waikato people.
"Waikato Horopounamu": Waikato who swallow greenstone.
This is an ancient Whakatauki commonly associated with Waikato Tainui and records their war-like and volatile nature. The saying refers to a battle fought around 1807 on the shores Lake Ngaroto near of Te Awamutu. Here Waikato warriors defeated a combined force of warriors from other Iwi. The term "swallowing of greenstone" refers to the Tainui custom of taking of the greenstone pendants from slain enemy warriors as trophies.
AMO: The carved side posts.
The two carved figure, with full facial Moko (facial tattoo) at the top of the carved side posts portray two Ngati Wairere warlords who held dominion over the lands upon which the Waikato stadium and City of Hamilton now stand. The figure nearest Tristram Street is HANUI, the other is HOTUMAUEA. These two chiefs took Whatanoa Pa from the Ngati Te Ao people, lead by the Chief Taiko. He was killed in the hand-to-hand combat for the Pa.
MAUI: The figure below Hanui on the post nearest Tristram Street depicts Maui. He was traditionally known to be a trickster who used cunning, nerve and deception to go beyond the boundaries of luck and changing fortunes. Maui is painted in Waikato colours, symbolizing the chances and risks one must take to win in sport, and the spirit of combat and competitiveness found in all players who represent the Waikato province.
RONGO: The figure below Hotumauea on the other post depicts Rongo. He is a deity associated with the harvesting of food, but as Maori traditionally held games after the harvest, Rongo is associated with Maori sport. On the gateway, Rongo, painted in Waikato colours, supports all sporting codes that use the stadium and the spirit of all Waikato sport.
Nathan Hindmarsh Parramatta Eels
TANIKO: The border pattern
The zigzag pattern painted on the base of the uprights, and the chequered pattern on the ends of the bargeboards, represent the boundaries of the lands of the Waikato people and the Waikato province.
RAPARAPA: The carved ends of the bargeboards.
The lower ends of the bargeboards are known as Raparapa and these bear several significant carved patterns.
Te Mauri O Whatanoa: The life force of Whatanoa
The Raparapa closest to Tristram Street has a carved figure and interlocking spiral pattern carved in the kawa of Ngati Wairere-Tangata Whenua for this land.
The figure represents Hani, a Tainui war god. The spiral carving represents the Mauri (life force) of Whatanoa Pa and the history of the people who lived in and around the pa.
Te Ao hurihuri: The changing world
A figure on the other Raparapa depict Puna, the female Tainui deity of cultivation and peace offerings. Puna, and the spiral pattern symbolize the hopes, expectations, and opportunities of life and identifies the emotions and expectations that supporters have for their team when they come to a sporting event at the stadium. Puna also associates the stadium with women who not only participate in Waikato sport but also support the Waikato teams.
Design and Carving:
The concept, design of the carvings and colour scheme for the Whatanoa Gateway were the work of Mr. Wiremu Puke, Ngati Wairere. The gateway was carved by Mr. Darren Lee and painted by Mrs. Tui Lee.
Whatanoa gateway dwarfs Gridiron team
The Sponsors.
The following people and organisations contributed to the production and erection of the Whatanoa Gateway:
Hamilton City Council
The Scottwood Trust
Brian Perry
Richard and Marie Wymer
Steven and Glenda Saunders
Nga Mana Toopu O Kirikiriroa
Further Information.
This description of the Whatanoa gateway was produced by Nga Mana Toopu O Kirikiriroa. Further information can be obtained from:
Mr Wiremu Puke,
Nga Mana Toopu O Kirikiriroa,
PO Box 24090, Hamilton,
Email wiremu_p@paradise.net.nz.
Phone: (07) 843 4472
Mobile: 027 242 3525
