The Totem Pole of Friendship - Christchurch, New Zealand
Posted by: 
waiiti20
S 43° 29.473 E 172° 32.821
59G E 625086 N 5183471
This pole was a gift from the people of Oregon, USA, to the people of Christchurch, New Zealand, in appreciation of hospitality given to personnel of Operation Deep Freeze.
Waymark Code: WMTN7X
Location: South Island, New Zealand
Date Posted: 12/16/2016
Views: 3
The Indian Totem Pole of friendship which stood in Little Hagley Park alongside Harper Avenue until 1980, is now at Christchurch International Airport.
It is an authentic work of primitive art 9m in height and 0.7m in diameter at the base, weighing 545 kg. The pole was carved by Indian Chief Lelooska during Oregon's Centennial Exposition in 1959 and is a smaller replica of one in the zoological gardens at Portland, Oregon.
Each of the figures on the pole is symbolic; at the top is the Thunderbird, traditional god of storm, honouring airmen who made the first supply drop at the South Pole in October 1956. Another figure is the killer whale, honouring the sailors who opened sea lanes to the Antarctic. The eagle is the official symbol of the United States and the grizzly bear and beaver are also included.
Country or International City that Gave the Gift: Oregon, USA
Country or International City that Received the Gift: Christchurch, New Zealand
Website Verifying this Item as a Gift from Another Country or International City: [Web Link]
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