Nga Pou Whakairo at Orakei Korako
Ngati Tahu has symbolically replanted its feet at Orakei Korako, the geothermal area known internationally as the “Hidden Valley” between Rotorua and Taupo. Two nga pou whakairo, representing the iwi’s tupuna Tahu Matua and his son Toroa, were carved by kai whakairo Lionel Matenga from one totara log, estimated to be over 400 years old. Tahu Matua stands at 9 metres and Toroa at 8.7 metres. Tahu Matua and Toroa once had their wharenui on the banks of the Waikato River at Orakei Korako. Now the mana of these tupuna, and Ngati Tahu, has been restored with father and son standing together once again overlooking their awa
The log was gifted by Kahungungu Wairarapa Moana Trust to the Ngati Tahu-Ngati Whaoa Runanga Trust. Trustee Evelyn Forrest says the iwi’s history with Kahungungu goes back to the trading days of kokowai (red ochre) for shark oil and pounamu. Routes across the Kaingaroa plains made for easy trading. In return for the totara log, the Runanga gave Kahungungu two pounamu taonga, featuring carvings signifying the hokioi, kokowai and the shark. One, a patu, can be used during whaikorero and the other is for display.
Engineering work on site to hold the carvings safely and securely took four months to complete due to the nature of the geothermal ground and high water table.
Once the site was ready the pou were uplifted from a workshop in Tokoroa and delivered and installed against the support poles at Orakei Korako. Whanau representing Wairarapa Moana, Raukawa, Ngati Tahu-Ngati Whaoa and the kai whakairo were on hand to bless the safe travel of our tupuna prior to the uplift.
On the 20th April 2021 a powhiri was held at Orakei Korako before the pou were blessed by kaumatua Iwi Te Whau. Runanga chair Roger Pikia recited Ngati Tahu’s whakapapa and unveiled the pou to the iwi and their invited guests.
Tahu Matua Toroa