A Carved Landmark - Otorohanga

On a trip through the central North Island back in June, I passed through the small town of Otorohanga, where I spotted two marvellous pouwhenua (totems) on the edge of the main street. Unfortunately it was teeming with rain so my photographs really don't do the carvings justice but they give you an idea of the intricate detail involved in each figure.

The two plaques give a detailed account of each figure, its place in local history and who carved the piece but without an overall shot that shows the names clearly, all that is a little meaningless to repeat here. I will add though, that the figures represented in the pouwhenua are Tuhoro (carved by Korari Boyd of Ngati Haua); Te Kanawa (carved by Desmond Te Kanawa of Ngati Maniapoto); Te Kauauru (carved by Albert Tipene of Ngati Tuwharetoa); Te Haupokia (carved by Tahi Meihana of Ngati Raukawa, Ngati Rereahu).

The figure of Maniapoto was carved by Mitchell Hughes (Ngati Maniapoto); Taonui and Te Wetini were carved by Martin Tuaupiki (Ngati Mahuta); andWahanui was carved by Tahi Meihana (Ngati Raukawa). I thought it one of the most impressive contemporary carvings I've seen in a while - and certainly the placement of new pouwhenua in public places in many towns around New Zealand is an admirable one. It's a visible reminder of the huge renaissance of Maori culture in New Zealand over the last twenty years.

A Place of Celebration

Back in May, when I was travelling up the North Island, I saw a monument on the side of the road (below), just south of Otorohanga in the South Waikato/Waitomo area. I spun around and pulled into the side parking area to see what it was all about.

That's when I saw the yellow road sign marking Rereamanu Marae.

And looking to my left, I saw it - down a narrow, unsealed road, far below, huddled in a valley, surrounded by those distinctive rolling green, south Waikato hills - a perfect, private setting tucked away from the mad rush of the main highway.

It was here - at Rereamanu Marae, on February 5, 2009, that Ngati Maniapoto hosted tribes from all over New Zealand - and Te Arikinui, King Tuheitia, to mark and celebrate 150 years of the Kingitanga Movement. The 3-day event was hosted here at Rereamanu because it is the closest site to where Chief Potatau Te Wherowhero was confirmed as Maniapoto's choice to become the first Maori King. Potatau was subsequently crowned the first Maori King in Ngaruawahia in April, 1858. The memorial above marks the site of the first meeting of those chiefly discussions and chronicles the history.

As I stood on the side of the highway reading this history, I was struck once again by the thought that we sail by so much in life - everyday markers and places - without ever knowing what has gone before us. I for one, have driven past this memorial an uncountable number of times previously without knowing its significance. I left, glad I had stopped and without wanting to sound corny, I somehow felt a little richer for the knowledge and the landscapes - the memorial and marae huddled down in the valley - I had seen in fifteen short minutes. www.maniapoto.iwi.nz