Ka ki te puku, Ka ora te tangata.

“When the stomach is full, a person is satisfied and well.”

The name of this design is Whatukuhu (Kidney) and I’ve used the above Pepeha (proverb) to assist with the explanation or meaning of it. The Pepeha implies to the joys in life, in particular eating. It’s natural for us to forget about the consequences of what we consume and instead we tend to think of how satisfied we are for that small moment in time. The joys of life are sweet and so are the consequences if we indulge too much.

The Whatukuhu design attempts to convey the message of caution and brings to our attention the importance health and well being. It represents a unique part of our body that assists with filtering food and liquid, and refers to three important aspects of Maori belief, Mauri (life principle), Ihi (essential force), and Mana (spiritual power). These become threatened when proper care of our mind, body and spirit are compromised. The Kowhaiwhai patterns within it represent new and healthy beginnings for mankind and the surrounding environment that we live in.

The Whatukuhu design was created for the 2009 RSA conference to be held in Rotorua, Aotearoa. I hope it reflects the environment, setting and people who are hosting the conference and trust that the sharing of knowledge will full our minds and satisfy our hunger in providing solutions for enhanced quality of life.

Name of Design: Whatukuhu

Artist: Eugene Kara

Ko Maungatautari te Maunga
Ko Waikato te Awa
Ko Ngati Kahukura, Koroki nga Hapu
Ko Waikato te Iwi
Ko Tainui te Waka