Oruawhata Sculpture

Public Art: Oruawhata Sculpture

Sculptor: © Rakei Kingi

Date Unveiled: The Oruwhata sculpture was unveiled on the 30th of August 2007.

Description: This is one of two wooden carvings (Tunohopu)  surrounding the Malfroy Geysers and a very important Maori warrior burial pit. The black and white wood carving depicts Oruawhata. a great Maori warrior and chief.

Location: The Oruawhata Sculpture is located in Government Gardens, Rotorua, New Zealand. 

Plaque:

Oruawhata

A deep thermal chasm named Oruawhata was once featured here, stretching from Whangapipiro to the Malfroy Geysers.

Filled with boiling water and poisonous gases, it was a secure burial pit for remains of warriors, ensuring that they would never fall into enemy hands. Engineer Camille Malfroy harnessed the power to create the Malfroy Geysers.

The pool, with its urupa (graveyard), was filled in many years ago. This site is still regarded by Ngiati Whakaue as one of great importance, evidenced in the Maori block name for the city of Rotorua, ‘Pukeroa – Oruawhata’.

Rotorua District Council

Legend of Hatupatu: In Maori tradition, Hatupatu was the youngest of four sons. Despite being mercifully bullied by his siblings he grew up to be chief of the Te Arawa. As chief, he led his people to battle and victory with arch-enemy chief Raumati.

Hatupatu and the bird woman: One of the brave warrior’s feats was to escape the clutches of the bird-woman Kurangaituku. Hatupatu had been captured by the bird woman and held as a prisoner in her cave. When Kurangaituku went off hunting for more prey, Hatupatu gathered up all her treasures in the cave and ran as fast as he could. It wasn’t long before Kurangaituku was informed (by a snitch of a bird) of troubles back at the cave. When she flew home she discovered that it was true, Hatupatu had not only escaped but taken her valuables with him.  The bird woman was not happy and flew off in search of the thief. 

Meanwhile, Hatupatu was running as fast as he could. Needless to say, it wasn’t long before he heard the dreaded squawk of Kurangaituku calling ‘Step along, stretch along, step along, stretch along. There you are Hatupatu, not far from me now.’

Hatupatu was convinced he was done for until he suddenly remembered a magic spell. He found a large rock and repeated over and over again  ‘O rock, open for me, open.’ When the rock opened he climbed inside.

Silly Kurangaituku flew straight past. When the coast was clear Hatupatu ran like the wind until he reached Rotorua. 

An exhausted Hatupatu couldn’t believe his luck when he saw an angry Kurangaituku flying his way. He ran to the mud pools of Whakarewarewa with Kurangaituku in hot pursuit. The bird woman, unable to see through the steam, took to the ground running. Big mistake. Hatupatu knowing the area well, took a giant leap over a hot mud pool. The angry Kurangaituku didn’t see the pool and ran straight in, burning to death.

After gathering his strength, Hatupatu went to the shore of Lake Rotorua and dived in. He swam to the Mokoia Island in the middle of the lake where his parents lived. They were shocked to see their youngest son, believing he had been killed by the bird woman.

The location of the Malfroy geysers (and also bath buildings in Government Gardens) was named Oruawhata, in honour of Hatupatu. It was here, after his drama with Kurangaituku, that he stripped and hung his clothes up on a tree. This was known as a whata, tree storehouse.