Recognising a Maori Presence

Victoria Square, Central Christchurch. March 2009. Ajr

This is the painted totara pou (carved pole) carved by Christchurch’s Riki Manuel in 1994. It was commissioned by the Christchurch City Council in partnership with Nga Runanga ki Waitaha to commemorate the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi at Akaroa. He poupou tohu ahi-ka o Ngai Tahu – A mark of the long burning fires of Ngai Tahu. It stands in Victoria Square in the centre of Christchurch, close to statues of Captain Cook and Queen Victoria and celebrates the presence of Maori in Canterbury.