Te Punga- The anchor of the great sky waka (canoe).

Te Punga wall sculpture incorporates Uku carving representing the milky way at the edges and Tukutuku harakeke/flax weaving at the center. Tukutuku are cross patterns that are traditionally used on the walls of Marae (Māori meeting houses). They carry deep meanings and tell stories of identity.

The one I have used in this sculpture represents Te Punga, the anchor of the great sky waka, often used in navigation but also as a metaphor for grounding one's self.