Connie Pewhairangi - Potae
Tokomaru Bay

 

For Connie Pewhairangi-Potae weaving is the thing through which she creatively expresses her love for her culture.

Connie's lifestyle is holistically Maori. Respect for the papakainga (homeplace), the concept of ahi kaa (keeping the home fires burning), keeping traditional weaving techniques alive, these are as important as the need to tautoko (support) the Marae. Connie sometimes does her weaving in the Marae kitchen, where she can also be found as the need arises, serving up famously delicious kai before moving into the dining hall to sing waiata maori in the stunning Tokomaru Bay style.

Connie was taught by influential tohunga raranga Lena Nukunuku as well as her mother-in-law Ngoi Pewhairangi. With teachers such as this, Connie had little choice but to become a highly skilled and motivated expert weaver.

The last few years have been busy for Connie. She is Toi Iho accredited, reflecting her position as a leader in the field. Connie recently completed a collection of woven kowhaiwhai shapes. These commissioned pieces have been put in place on the ceiling of the newly refurbished Te Puia in Rotorua. They form part of a stunning collective adornment, woven by the best weavers from across the motu (island). Connie’s weaving is there to represent Ngati Porou.

The thing Connie most craves is time; time without interruption. She supposes that this dilemma is one that has been a constant throughout generations; she rarely ever witnessed her grandmother weaving, but upon waking in the mornings a new kete would have often appeared.

Uninterrupted time will be of particular importance for Connie’s next project in which she is intending to weave replica of the whariki housed in the Chicago Field Museum to adorn the floorboards of Te Hono ki Rarotonga/Pakirikiri marae. Perhaps a trip to see the whariki in person, will facilitate the steps up to what Connie describes as the next great mountain in her weaving journey.

Read more about Connie’s Toi Iho accreditation at www.toiiho.com
Or you can contact Connie via post at:
PO Box 42, Tokomaru Bay
(06) 864 5752