Waharoa Sculpture gift unveiled in Taupo. New Zealand.
S 38° 41.195 E 176° 04.175
60H E 419078 N 5717591
A Maori cloak fell away from Taupo's newest icon, revealing the Waharoa, a 9m high Maori carving, in an unveiling and blessing ceremony at the entrance to Taupo's War Memorial Cenotaph.
Waymark Code: WM7TV8
Location: North Island, New Zealand
Date Posted: 12/03/2009
Views: 7
The carving was gifted by Contact Energy to Taupo to mark 50 years of geothermal energy extraction at Wairakei power station.
"The sculpture signifies our respect for Ngati Tuwharetoa and the special relationship between the people of the Taupo region and geothermal energy", said the managing director of Contact Energy.
Designed by local master carver Delani Brown, the waharoa tells the story of the arrival of geothermal energy to the region.
More than 2000 man-hours went into carving the waharoa, or spiritual entrance, through which acknowledgement and respect is given and received by tangata whenua (hosting tribe) and manuhiri (visitors).
News articles appeared on the internet and in the local newspaper Taupo Times.
Type of publication: Newspaper
When was the article reported?: 11/14/2009
Publication: Taupo Times (newspaper) and Scoop Independant News (internet).
Article Url: [Web Link]
Is Registration Required?: no
How widespread was the article reported?: regional
News Category: Arts/Culture
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