Pātaka and the story of Tinirau and the whale

Pātaka – a symbol of plenty

Pātaka are storehouses for food or valuables. Customarily they were built close to a leading chief’s dwelling in a village. They can be intricately carved, often with symbols of plenty such as whales.

Whales equal abundance

In earlier times, a stranded whale would supply an iwi or hapū with an enormous amount of food and other resources. A pātaka stocked with whale meat could provide protein for months.

Friends, guardians, food

The maihi of many pātaka have pakakē – whale-like patterns. These patterns probably have their origins in the story of the chief Tinirau and his pet whale Tutunui. Tinirau offers Tutunui as transport for a guest, Kae, who in turn kills and eats the whale. The story illustrates aspects of the complex relationship Māori had with whales – as friends, guardians, and food.

Chiefly virtues

A rangatira should ensure his people have food. A great rangitira would also show his bounty to guests who came in peace. An ornately carved pātaka symbolised this physical wealth as well as the leader’s generosity of spirit.

A carved pātaka also showcases the rangitira’s and by association the iwi’s artistry, enhancing the mana of the whole group. The structure symbolises wealth, knowledge, and prestige.

The story of Tinirau and the whale

This is a dramatic tale of treachery and revenge involving the chief Tinirau, his pet whale, Tutunui, and Tinirau’s sinister guest, Kae. The story reveals the complex relationship that Māori have with whales. Many versions are known throughout the Pacific.

The shape of whales

Two carving patterns peculiar to pātaka are ‘pakakē' and ‘taratara a Kae’. Pakakē consists of a large, scroll-like shape representing a whale’s head. Behind this is the familiar shape of the whale’s body tapering toward the tail. See the great stranded whale Tutunui on this maihi? His tail is to the left, and his head is two spirals. men and manaia haul Tutunui out of the shallows.

Taratara a Kae is the carved notched pattern mimicing the gaps or jaggedness of Kaes’ teeth. Its origins are associated with this story of Tinirau, Hineteiwaiwa, and Kae. The carved notched pattern mimics the gaps or jaggedness of Kaes’ teeth, the important trait used to identify him in the pūrākau.