Description:
Portrait of Hinetitāma, the first human woman according to Māori beliefs.
She is wearing a cloak that appears to be a kahu kiwi - a cloak made of kiwi feathers. As Hinetītama, she was the Dawn Maiden, kaitiaki of the space where night becomes day, dark becomes light.
Daughter of Tāne and Hineahuone, she also unknowingly became Tāne's wife. After learning this, she fled to the underworld where she transitioned into Hinenuitepō. There she receives the souls of those who have died.
This work exemplifies the artists' interest in portraying Māori wāhine (Māori women) in strong and active roles within society both historically and in the here and now.