HANGARAU
TECHNOLOGY IN AOTEAROA
HANGI
Hangi is a special way of cooking food under the ground using red hot rocks and steam. It takes about 7 hours to cook a hangi from start to finish but the food is delicious!
HARAKEKE (FLAX)
Māori used harakeke (flax) to weave korowai (cloaks) and other practical objects such as kete (baskets) and whāriki (mats).
TRAPS
Kiore (the pacific rat) and birds were an important food source for early Māori. Learn about the different types of traps they used to catch their dinner!
GARDENING
Māori grew plants that the first Polynesian settlers brought from tropical Polynesia. What crops did they grow? What tools did they use for gardening?
INENGA: MEASUREMENTS
How did Māori measure things without rulers? How did they make sure their measurements were consistent every time?
PŌTAKA TA
The pōtaka (spinning top) was a popular toy amongst Māori children. The kare (whip) was made from harakeke (flax) strips attached to a stick. This was dampened and wrapped around the pōtaka and quickly whipped to release it.
PUTĀTARA
Putātara made a loud sound and were used to communicate over distances. They were made from conch or triton shells. The tip of the shell was cut off and replaced by a wooden, usually carved, mouthpiece.
TŪWIRI
The tūwiri is a hand-held pump drill that is unique to Māori culture. It was used to make holes in wood, bone and pounamu by applying downward pressure and pulling the cords outwards. This created friction where the mata (sharp stone drill bit) was in contact with the hard material.
Challenge: Make your own hangarau!
Choose one hangarau and try to recreate it using materials found at home.
Here are some links to help get you started.
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Make poi using plastic bags and some wool.
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Make a tawhiti kiore using sticks and rope.
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Learn how to weave putiputi (roses) with harakeke.
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Grow your own Hue at home or in the school garden.
We'd love to hear what your favourite hangarau is, or see drawings or photos of the hangarau you create! Email us at motat.fun@motat.org.nz.
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Podcast
The story of Whakaotirangi and her Kete of Kūmara
This story tells of how Tainui's ancestor Whakaotirangi first brought kūmara and other plants to Aotearoa and describes the techniques she used to plant, grow and store them.
Sowing Seeds of Kiwi Heritage
An article about how hue were brought to Aotearoa and why they are so important.
Te Irikura: Hue
A video about how hue were brought to Aotearoa and why they are so important.
Ratting
Read more about the way that kiore (rats) were prepared and the technology involved in catching them.
Māori weapons and carving
Wetini Mitai-Ngatai introduces us to traditional weapons and the various types of weaponry Māori used. Te Puia carving school shows the process of making a taiaha.
Taonga pūoro - Musical instruments
Learn about traditional Māori musical instruments and hear them being played.
The star compass - kapehu whetu
Explanation of the star compass and how it was used to navigate
From ancient taonga to virtual reality
Iwi innovation in heritage preservation