Niho Taniwha is a work in Hype's collection by artist Victor Tukuafu, of Ngã Puhi, Ngãti Tuwharetoa and Tongan descent.

“He piko, he taniwha – a river bend, a chief”. This whakatauaki (proverb) resonated at Turangawaewae Marae as participants of the 2005 World Indigenous Peoples Conference on Education gathered in the Waikato region.

Victor’s picture tells the story of this global gathering of indigenous knowledge leaders with niho taniwha – a customary tooth design. Noho Taniwha reflects the hosting institute, Te Wananga o Aotearoa, and visiting conference delegates who were tribally supported by Tainui. The success of this gathering was due to the formation of this strong trilogy.

The four traditional shark tooth designs (niho taniwha) in the corners of the work represent people and ancestors, the gathering of people and the four winds.

The cloak symbolises clothing oneself with knowledge and goodwill. The diamond motif is the traditional flounder pattern (patiki) symbolising wellbeing, abundance, food and knowledge.

The linear spiral, running from the feet to the neck, is the umbilical cord (pito) and represents the connection between the earth (beginning) and sky (spirit and inner knowledge).