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Ngā Heke
Rafter Panels

The heke or rafter panels are seen running parallel to each other on both sides of the meeting house branching off from the tāhuhu backbone. Each heke is connected to a specific poupou carving. On the right side are the poupou representing the Māori cosmic archetypes and on the left side are the western equivalents. Together they serve as points of reference.

As well as representing the ribs of the human body the heke are the branches of a tree with the tāhuhu representing the trunk. If the ceiling was standing upright it would resemble Te Rākau Ora the tree of life. The possessor of this knowledge was Tāne Mahuta.

According to ancient Māori mythology, Tāne the guardian of the forest and trees ascended the heavens to obtain the three sacred baskets of knowledge from Io. Through achieving this quest he came to be known as Tāne te Wānanga, Tāne te pukenga, Tāne nui ā rangi. The guardian of knowledge and wisdom.