Description:

Traditionally whakapapa and māori history is shown through carving and tāmoko, something I find beautiful, but at the same time something that I knew I could never recreate to show my own journey of discovering my whakapapa.

This pukapuka explores the power of self discovery.

Tūhura is an editorial journey of my whakapapa, born through the curiosity of me questioning my pepeha and what I thought I knew of my whakapapa.
This book is a story of growth and development, pride and excitement.

This pukapuka for me is something that constantly evolves; in the beginning of this journey and the making of this book was about me finding answers, not only was I learning about my whānau and their history but also about our land.
So now, when I consider my maunga I no longer see it as what it is, but what it stands for and the history that explains its significance.
Now as I share this pukapuka, it becomes something that I share with pride and with the drive to do more; a stepping stone to the “what next”. How can I further educate my whānau and myself of my peoples history. How can I influence someone with this project, to want to discover and share their whakapapa?
It is my goal now with this project to share it in the hope that it encourages others to have the confidence to explore their whakapapa through ways that are relatable to them so they can present their whakapapa with pride and with a greater understanding of self.

“Honour your whakapapa, your tīpuna. Use that knowledge to further your tīpuna because that’s who you’re working for - your tīpuna and your descendants. When you really get into your journey you realise why you exist and how you exist and who you exist for. And it’s a beautiful thing.”