Te Pou Herenga Waka - Christchurch, New Zealand
S 43° 31.865 E 172° 37.893
59G E 631834 N 5178913
This Pouwhenua (Maori Totem) stands in front of the Christchurch City Council building in Christchurch, New Zealand.
Waymark Code: WM136XR
Location: South Island, New Zealand
Date Posted: 09/29/2020
Views: 2
A plaque near the totem reads:
"Pouwhenua rise out of the earth like the trees they are carved upon. They symbolise the ancestral ties of the people of that region and tell stories of greatness and survival. This pouwhenua is named Te Pou Herenga Waka which means a post that brings all peoples together. This is embodied in the blade that depicts three layers of tribal settlement in Canterbury: Waitaha, Ngati Mamor and Ngai Tahu. The bold figure at its base represents the spirits of our city's founders, both Maori and Pakeha, who migrated from afar to plant their roots in this land. The rear of the powwhenua reflects the important waterways and food gathering sites within Christchurch.
This pouwhenua was carved by Poutini Ngai Tahu carver Fayne Robinson, assisted by Mahana Coulston and James York. The totara was gifted by the Clayton whanay from Waimaunga."
Type of wood carving: Totem pole
Artist's Name: Fayne Robinson
Approximate size/height: 20 feet
Other type: Not listed
Type of wood: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
All logs must be the result of an actual visit to the wooden carving.
"Visited" only remarks will not be accepted.