Te Kaitiaki o Tāhuna

Artist: Anahera Lewis Kemara

Title: Te Kaitiaki o Tāhuna | The Guardian of Tāhuna

Medium: Acrylic on canvas

Dimensions: 61cm x 91.5cm

Artwork kōrero

Te Kaitiaki o Tāhuna centres on the ruru as kaitiaki of the night, flying across the landscape of Tāhuna as darkness gives way to the first light of day. The sky represents te puaotanga - the breaking of dawn and the emergence of light from darkness. Matariki remains visible in the distance, connecting the whenua below with the celestial world above.

The mountains are inspired by The Remarkables, rising above Lake Whakatipu. Across the wai, triangular tāniko forms echo the shifting currents and movement of the lake.

Above sits the marama, an important part of te ao Māori. Through the maramataka, its phases have long guided the rhythms of life, from gathering kai and fishing to planting and rest.

Moving beneath the marama, the ruru watches over the whenua and wai below. As kaitiaki, it represents guidance, protection and a connection to te ao wairua.

Together, these elements capture a quiet moment between te pō and te ao - as the ruru finishes its journey through the night and a new day begins over Tāhuna.