maori.org.nz acknowledge
Kemera Wilson
for providing this information.
There are four main types of heads in Maori carving, the wheku, the ruru, the koruru and the human head. We will not be looking at the human head, but the other types. These can be distinguished by the shape around the eyes. As you look through each of the iwi or rohe styles, the head type will be named.
Tai Rawhiti is the east coast of the north island
This type of head is a wheku. Notice the two long lines on either side of the eye. These are the lines that are used to identify that this type of head is a wheku
This head is the Tai Tokerau style.
Tai Tokerau is the northern part of the north island.
The distinguishing feature of this head is the bell shape.
Within the Tai Tokerau there are variations of this type of head, representing the different iwi that reside there. However, this head gives a good indication of the style that is from that area
This type of head is a wheku. The distinguishing features of the previous head can be clearly seen in this example also
This head is in the Te Arawa style.
This is the Rotorua to the bottom of Lake Taupo area of the north island
This type of head is a koruru. Notice the two big eyes. These eyes are used to identify that this type of head is a koruru
Taranaki is the west coast of the north island,
where the mountain Taranaki sits
The distinguishing feature of this head is the peak on top, representing Taranaki, the mountain of the area
This type of head is a koruru. The distinguishing features of the previous head can be clearly seen in this example also
Pare Hauraki is the Coromandal area of the north island
The distinguishing feature of this head is the whole paua shell, similar to an abalone, that is used for the eyes
This type of head is a koruru. The distinguishing features of the previous head can be clearly seen in this example also
This is the Rotorua to the bottom of Lake Taupo area of the north island
This type of head is a ruru. The distinguishing features are the shape of the ears which have a point, similar to the owl
This head is the Rongowhakaata style.
This is the Gisborne area of the north island
The distinguishing feature of this head are the ears, which are the crosses on either side
This type of head is a wheku. The distinguishing features previous wheku can be clearly seen in this example also
This is the area around Opotiki to Potaka in the north island
This type of head is a koruru. The distinguishing features previous koruru can be clearly seen in this example also
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