​St George’s
Anglican Parish of Gate Pā
All who enter here be reconciled

Tukutuku panels

A series of three Tukutuku Panels designed for St George's Gate Pā Anglican Church by ​Lee Netana, were installed in the church in 2011. They serve to affirm a strong Māori identity within the church dating as far back as the battles of Gate Pā and Te Ranga.

Panel 1
TUKUTUKU TUATAHI TE PAKANGA - THE CONFLICT
 
Whakatauki - 14:10
"E mohio ana te ngakau, ki tona ake mamae e kore ano hoki tona koa e pikitia e te tangata ke"
 
Proverbs - 14:10
'Each heart knows its own bitterness and no-one else can share in its joy'
 
Interpretation
The first panel represents the Battle of Gate Pa, the green colouring symbolising the whenua/land where the battle took place. The centre pattern symbolises the different peoples and communities that were involved in this conflict.
 

Panel 2
TUKUTUKU TUARUA TE WHAKAWHITIWHITI - THE TRANSITION

Karaitia - 6:9
"A kaua tatou e ngakaukore, ki te mahi i te pai; tena tona wa e rite ai ka kokoti tatou ki te kaore tatou e ngoikore"

Galatians - 6:9
"Let us not become weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap if we faint not"
 
Interpretation
The second panel depicts the transition process, between conflict and peace. The central pattern of green and blue symbolises a pathway towards peace, which all peoples and communities within the conflict must meet for the peace to be lasting. The purple patterns each side of the pathway represents a time of negotiation and parley. The black and yellow squares are symbolic of the peoples and communities that are not directly involved in the conflict or negotiations, but are affected by the whole process and ultimately the outcome, for better or worse.
 ​

Panel 3
TUKUTUKU TUATORU MOUNGARONGO - GOODWILL
 
Roma 13:10
"E kore te aroha e kino ki tona hoa"
 
Romans 13:10
"Love worketh no ill to his neighbour"
 
Interpretation
This third panel represents, not the ending of the story, but the ongoing journey that all cultures travel to make their communities safe, healthy and happy.

Images: St George's Gate Pā