Ra¯ pata unveiling: Another pou rises
Part three in a series about pou whenua in Te Rarawa, as written by Haami Piripi,
The dawn’s silence can take on an eerie feeling as it did at the unveiling of the second of the 16 Te Rarawa pou whenua to be erected along the coastline from Waimimiha and South.
Located on the Rāpata Māori Reservation at Ahipara, the pou commemorates early conflicts between local iwi and are part of a pre-European history that spans over 1000 years. The pou was carved by master carver Te Aroha Te Paa.
The ceremony itself was attended by about 60 people and led by tangata whenua kaumātua and kuia.
The establishment of a series of pou whenua connects the various historical and culturally significant sites to express the mana of the local marae, hapū and iwi. In this case, the pou whenua is of great significance to the descendants of Te Rarawa and Te Aupouri iwi.
Represented as a female form, the pou seeks to impart a spirit of reconciliation and mutually beneficial relationships that lead somewhere.
Following the dawn ceremony and breakfast at Roma Marae, a large group of hapū and iwi members took a hikoi down and around the Tauroa Peninsular. Lots of local history was shared and the cultural knowledge and tikanga gained by the local kaitiaki will be critical in developing practices for the future environmental protection of the marine coastal area and the management of Māori customary interests.
It was clear there is much work to be done to achieve our kaitiaki objectives but also clear that there are plenty of willing helpers to achieve it.
It is essential that the entire community understands and grasps the importance of the need for collaboration between Māori and the wider community on a number of fronts like Te Tiriti. Each perspective contributes strength and one without the other will diminish our potential.
So we must all take pride in these pou as they emerge over the next few months . . . savouring each one for its rich history and adding it to one’s “kete” of knowledge that is utterly unique to our people our place and our progress.