Back in May, when I was edging my way north from Wellington, I was determined to stop at least one of the sign-posted marae. I had been unable to last year because of the large traffic volumes and my own time constraints. So this time, when I saw the sign pointing to
Kikopiri Marae at the little Horowhenua settlement of Ohau, I turned off the highway and followed a narrow country road for a few kilometres.
It was a drizzly but sunny day and the short road leading to the marae on a small hill was muddy so I didn't even get out of the car. But I was taken with the prettiness of the scene -
the little old marae peeping out from behind giant harakeke (flax) and what looked to be small kauri or totara trees. I haven't been able to find out a lot about the marae but it does appear to be an important centre for
Ngati Kikopiri people and I was able to trace some lovely old photographs in Alexander Turnbull Library files, showing the marae between 1895-1906 - recognisable by the building's distinctive carved
amo (the upright carvings on the front gable
). According to my other readings, I think there may be a connection to
Ngati Raukawa - some of whom migrated to Horowhenua in the early 1820s, to this area....though I can't be sure of that and am open to reader suggestions.
www.kikopiri.whanau.org.nz
As fate would have it, I slammed on my brakes outside this Maori carving gallery at Ohau on State Highway one south of Levin (North Island) to avoid running over a piglet. If you look carefully, you can see the mother pig coming through the gate on the left of this picture (above).
I was in a bit of a rush - on a journey from Wellington to Whanganui - and it was still early morning. There didn't seem to be anyone about - apart from the piglets and despite the Open sign, so I took a few quick photographs and contninued on my way.
If you're interested in seeing inside the gallery and the sort of work they produce, go to this website. 
