wharenui

Wharenui

A wharenui is a meeting house where you can go and learn.
It represents an important ancestor that belonged to that tribe.
The tahuhu or spine runs along the top of the wharenui.
In the centre is the poutokomanawa or heart of the ancestor.  
The head is called koruru, the arms are called maihi and at the end
of the maihi are raparapara, or hands. The amo or legs are below
the maihi. Inside the wharenui if you look up you will see the
heke, rafters or ribs which are carved with stories of maori history.

A wharenui can open its doors in a natural disaster if some people's
house are damaged and they give them food and a nice place to stay.
They can stay there as long as they want until there house is fixed.
In Auckland they open their doors for the homeless because there
was so many of the homeless people on the streets in winter.

Wharenui can be used for celebrations like weddings and birthdays.
They can be used for meetings. You can also have a funeral there.