Maori Kite Flying

“Kite flying was favorite past time of the Maori in times of peace hence this great bird kite is symbolic of the realm of Rongo, god of peace. Literally translated, manu aute means “ the bird of aute” (bark cloth from paper mulberry) This was the traditional kite making material until it became scarce and restricted in use to the most sacred part, the head. 

This kite is based on two surviving examples; one is held in the British museum, and the other is displayed in the Maori court downstairs. Native plant species were used to construct the frame (manuka and kareo) and raupo for the covering. 

Some of these kites required many men to launch and hold a line more then 2,000 yards long. On special occasions, karakia (incantations) were used to assist the ascent to the heavers; once aloft, a small container was proeppeld up along the string to take water to the bird. 

Maui was the first kite-flyer, using it to control the winds. Tohunga (priestly experts) used them as an instrument in divination. They were also
used to seek out new lands for settlement. Ngapuhi, a northern tribe, used a kite in this way to claim the district of Kaikoh; Ngati Koroki to discover the place called Whenua-kite, and Ngati Haua to claim land at Whitianga. Kite songs recorded by Dowenes 1912 included the following: 

Climb up, climb up
To the highest surface of heaven To all the sides of the heaven Climb then to thy ancestor
To the sacred bird in the sky
To thy ancestor Rehua
In the heavens 

My bird, by power of charm ascending To the highest heaven
Like the sparrow hawk
By this charm shall my bird arise 

My bird bestrides the heavens Beyond the swirling waters
Like the stars Atutahi and Rehua And there spread out thy wings To the very clouds. Truly so! "

Kite made by Tim Mackrell and Precios Clark of the Rua-te-waihangs Center (ASB Trust/University of Auckland) 

All Text above is from the Auckland Museum