Q+A with Jason Tahatika, Mural Artist

Kia ora, 

Ko Jason Tahatika tōku ingoa - local artist from Te Whitianga a Kupe 

What is the mural about?

Mud & stardust is the tamariki of Ranginui & Papatūānuku, showing a moment when Tāne & his brothers were separated from their parents. Allowing the light into the world after laying in the darkness between them.

  • Tāne-mahuta - god of forests & birds

  • Tāwhiri-mātea - god of wind & weather

  • Haumia-tiketike - god of fernroot & uncultivated food

  • Rongo-mā-tāne - god of cultivated food, kumara & protector of peace

  • Tangaroa - god of sea & fish

  • Tūmatauenga - god of war & humans

  • Rūaumoko - god of earthquakes & volcanoes

  • Rehua - star god (Antares) with the power to heal above the gym entrance

How long did it take?

This is my biggest art piece! 10-12mtrs long by 3mtrs high. I chipped away for 45/50hrs in humid evenings throughout 4weeks.

What was your inspiration?

After a korero with Billie & Buddy, inspiration came easy for this one; the piece was to be a Māori art piece, which I love doing but don't do enough of. It is my most significant art piece to date.

I had a free creative licence & open tab at Guthrie Bowron (I was like a kid in a candy shop); one idea I loved was the Tūmatauenga (war/strategy) & Rongomātāne (protector of peace) were in the centre fused, that was what I started the mural around, and so only natural that I added the rest of the brothers. I added Tamanuiterā at the entrance/exit of the gym, where he shines over all who walk through the door & Rehua is situated over the doorway leading into the gym.

One story is that Tāwhiri-mātea was so angry with his brothers due to the separation of their parents that he came to battle them, driving Tāne, Rongo, Haumia-tiketike, Tangaroa & Rūaumoko to seek shelter in Papatūānuku (mother earth) & Tūmatauenga was his only worthy opponent. There are so many stories, and I encourage you to learn about some of them.

Ngā mihi nui to Billie & Buddy for inviting me to share my whakaaro and create this taonga for your fantastic business.