Guardian Symbol of the Chief

Māori Guardian God

This replica of a guardian deity came to be displayed in the Oceanic Cultures Pavillion through the kind cooperation of the Auckland Museum and Institute of New Zealand. It used to be found at the gateway of a fortified village, generally called Pa, of the Maoris who are the natives of New Zealand. The original, which was about 4.5 meters long, has been lost and only the replica exist today.
New Zealand is situated in the extreme southwest of Polynesia. It is believed that the Maoris moved to New Zealand from East Polynesia after a long and difficult voyage about 10th century A.D. The Maoris are known as great people in art. The figure was produced about 1800 A.D. and found in Te Ngae, Rotorua, it represents the chief Pukaki, ancestor of the Ngati Pukaki, a sub-tribe of the Arawa who lived about ten generations ago. This sculpture is on exhibit outside. No admission is required.