Ngā Whare Ariki Ō Hiva

Tauhei Hakuwai - Eagle Claws

This is the claw of the Hakuwai, Giant Haste Eagle Raptor before extinction.

The claw you can see is of an actual claw size of the Pou Hakuwai, the Giant Haste Eagle Raptor.

This claw was taken from a real skeleton.

Actual claw size, 23cm's in height, 12cm talon in length.

Te Pou Hakuwai along with the Tuatara, Rūrū and Kaahu are the physical embodiment of IO in the physical world.

From the extinction of the Haste Eagle Raptor that mantle is carried by The  Kārearea - Hawk and the Tuatara and Rūrū - Owl.

The claw is placed here to give:

Te Kanohi Ora - The Living Face

Te Mataora - The Ancestral Face

and Te Mauri Ora  - The Living Sentient Being,

IO Standing In All Time, Mana Atua (spiritual authority).

Hence the whakatauāki or proverb,

" He Matihere Kura, He Pou Hakuwai Rangi Na Rehua IO-Ariki."

"To hold the claws of the Giant Haste Eagle, Means to hold the responsibility and authority of the Rangitūhaha."

As IO is visible again to the IO Tohungatanga (Priesthood), so is Te Matihere Kura, the foot and claw of Te Pou Hakuwai to humanity.

The tauhei hakuwai or the Haste Eagle claw necklace was made by Rangi Kipa in 2016 for Tangaroa Ngaropo-Tāwio.

Whalebone mourei and reel reversible necklace.

13 matihere or claws with reversible Whakapakoko.

In 2024 the tauhei hakuwai was gifted to Ariki Rose Te Orotai of Maupiti for her support in regards to tūpuna Kupe-Ariki.