Guardians of the gateway
The Ballance Bridge entrance to the Te A¯ piti walking track through the Manawatu¯ Gorge has been given a culturally significant entranceway.
Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage was on hand to welcome the new carvings, known as Te Hononga Maunga, yesterday, following a dawn blessing.
The carvings have been designed to provide safe passage to all who pass by and Sage described them as ‘‘huge works of art and huge symbols’’.
She said she was unaware of the significance of Te A¯ piti before her visit, but could now see why the area was important to Manawatu¯.
‘‘Just coming in through this entranceway with the beauty of the carvings, it’s a really special introduction.’’
Sage was joined at the opening by members of the Te A¯ piti-manawatu¯ Gorge Governance Group and members of Tu¯ Te Manawa, a group that aims to connect iwi and hapu¯ to the Manawatu¯ River.
Horizons Regional Council chairman Bruce Gordon said the carvings would improve visitors’ experience of the gorge.
‘‘It’s always been a vision of the group to have these carvings at both ends of the gorge.’’
Carver Craig Kawana said it took him about six months to complete the carvings.
Further enhancements have been made to the walking track, including the Te Ara o Mahurangi mountainbike track and signs about plants.