Commemoration of Pou unveiling

Nga Marae o Heretaunga is set to commemorate the first anniversary of the unveiling of 18 Pou in Hastings Civic Square.

The pou were unveiled at dawn on Friday 26th July 2013 during a spectacular ceremony. They had been carved from 1000-year-old tōtara trees, which were recovered from a river in Te Urewera and gifted by the people of Tuhoe. Each Pou depicts an ancestor chosen by the 18 different marae located in the Hastings District.

Spokesperson for the commemoration ceremony Des Ratima says “Over the past 12 months hundreds of people, both visitors and locals have visited the Pou. This is a place where each marae and hapu can understand their connections to their ancestors and the commemoration ceremony will allow all iwi to again share the history and stories of their tipuna (ancestors).“

Hastings Mayor Lawrence Yule says “The unveiling ceremony was extremely moving and it is important that the community is able to remember this significant event each year. It is a tribute to Nga Marae o Heretaunga and the carvers that the Pou stand tall at the end of the first 12 months. I am proud that Council was involved at the beginning of this project and can now lend a hand to celebrate the anniversary.''

The commemoration begins at 11am on Saturday 26th July at Civic Square in Hastings.

The official ceremony will be followed by a shared lunch and performance by local Kapa Haka group Ngati Kahungunu ki Heretaunga who will represent Ngati Kahungunu iwi at Te Matatini 2015 Waitaha Competitions. The commemoration ceremony is being coordinated by Nga Marae o Heretaunga with support from Hastings District Council.

The nearby Hastings City Art Gallery is currently showing three exhibitions by contemporary Maori artists, which will be of interest to those attending the commemoration. Momo kauae: moko kauae in contemporary art draws on the vision of 12 contemporary artists and explores the use of elements of moko kauae (chin moko work by women) in different art forms.

Renowned New Zealand artist Reuben Paterson's exhibition At the Edge of a Mirror closes on Sunday, July 27th. His collection of large-scale glitter paintings creates a kaleidoscope-like visual experience in the Main Gallery. Paterson has work held in many major New Zealand collections and continues to exhibit widely in New Zealand and overseas.

Local artists Emanual Dunn and Raewyn Paterson's foyer exhibition tahirā – the day after tomorrow features artworks created through upcycling materials such as corrugated card and Venetian Blinds, and invites us to reflect on our relationship with the environment.

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