Name/Title
Aotearoa (New Zealand) TukutukuEntry/Object ID
MK_0333Description
This tukutuku panel is a contemporary example of Māori weaving from Aoteroa (New Zealand), made from colored reeds lashed to a backing to form a striking vertical chevron pattern.
Traditionally, tukutuku panels were crafted by Māori women and placed between the wooden posts and rafters to form decorative walls in ceremonial meeting houses, symbolizing tribal identity and spiritual power (mana).
Each panel is made by weaving dyed reeds or flax strips onto a wooden frame, with patterns that often represent important stories or values. The interplay of color and texture creates a sense of movement, making tukutuku panels both decorative and deeply meaningful within Māori culture.
This treasured piece has been in the Mauna Kea's collection since 1965, when Laurance Rockefeller developed the hotel, and was very recently restored.Made/Created
Place
Country
Aotearoa (New Zealand)Continent
OceaniaDimensions
Height
47 inLength
86 inHeight
52-3/4 inWidth
92-3/8 inDepth
3 inLocation
Area
6th Floor Makai-North WingFloor
6th FloorBuilding
Main Tower* Untyped Location
Storage ShedFloor
6th FloorBuilding
Main TowerFloor
6th FloorBuilding
Main TowerFloor
2nd FloorBuilding
Beach WingFloor
1st FloorBuilding
Beach Wing