Gallery Pounamu

Pounamu. Christchurch Art Gallery. Feb 2009 Ajr

If you go into Christchurch Art Gallery any time, you’ll notice a massive lump of pounamu (jade) at the rear of the ground floor. According to the plaque beside it, these are its origins: “It is from the takiwa (territory) of Ngati Waewae on the West Coast of Te Waipounamu (South Island) and was found in the Turiwhati (Griffin Range) area by Pierre Tumahai and Wereta Tainui Jnr. The pounamu was a koha (gift) to the gallery from Te Runanga (council) o Ngati Waewae and Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu to Christchurch Art Gallery at the gallery’s opening on May 10, 2003. Te Puna o Waiwhetu and Ngati Waewae is one of the Maori councils that has kaitiakitanga (guardianship) responsibilities for pounamu. As the gallery’s mauri stone, the principles of kaitiakitanga (guardianship), tino rangatiratanga (domain), manaakitanga (respect) and whakawhanaungatanga (kinship) as applied by Te Runanga o Ngati Waewae and Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu are encapsulated within the spirit of this pounamu.” www.christchurchartgallery.org.nz www.ngaitahu.iwi.nz