The fabric falling to unveil the pou whenua titled 'Tāwhaki'.
The University’s newly unveiled pou whenua will inspire tauira in their learning journey and realisation of their dreams and ambitions, those gathered at its unveiling heard.
Situated on the lawn between the St David lecture theatre complex and the Ōwheo Water of Leith, the pou whenua was unveiled at a ceremony this morning.
Traditional Māori carvings of all forms and size, including pou whenua, typically depict traditional Māori narratives which have been personified to preserve cultural accounts explaining how things came to be, Office of Māori Development Kaiwhakahaere Kaupapa Project Manager Kiritea Smith says.
The pou whenua is named after Tāwhaki. He is known for his pursuit of knowledge, and the many challenges he encountered on his journey, she says.
“This particular narrative deeply connects with our students as they embark on their own personal quests for knowledge and realisation of their unique dreams and ambitions.”
Tāwhaki is at the top of the pou whenua with ribbons which symbolise his connection to lightening.
The main colour of Tāwhaki is red, a colour found in pōhutakawa and rātā flowers.
The installation of this pou whenua is significant as it highlights the direction the University is pursuing, recognising its longstanding relationship with mana whenua, Smith says.
“It stands as a reminder of the rich history, traditional learning and knowledge of mana whenua.”
There are other pou whenua located through the Ōtepoti Dunedin campus but this particular one is a first of its kind in relation to size and being centrally located on campus, Smith says.
Roughly 200 people attended the unveiling ceremony.
A representative from Waitati Whakairo, the carvers who created Tāwhaki, also spoke, saying he hoped their work related to students who arrived at Otago to study, but that it was also a chance for mana whenua to see their identity back on the land, and a way of sharing their stories.
He shared the significance of elements of the pou whenua, including three manu – pūkeko, kākā and kakariki, that are each associated with Tāwhaki.
“Tāwhaki is up the top and there are others behind him, below him, a part of him.”
There is a rope in among the figures, which travels from the bottom to the top of the pou whenua and represents Tāwhaki ascending in his pursuit of knowledge.
The ribbons at the top symbolise the connection Tāwhaki has with lightning, while the three combs on the head of Tāwhaki are the three local runaka, Ōtākou, Kāti Huirapa ki Puketeraki and Moeraki.
Some of the invited dignitaries.
Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Helen Nicholson was one of several invited to speak during the unveiling ceremony.
“The pou is a beautiful, visible reference for everyone, giving importance to te ao Māori and contributing to te ao Māori being normalised at the University,” she says.
“This pou reflects pride and identity, not only for Māori, but for all our students and staff that work and study here at Otago.”
The pou whenua was commissioned in 2019 to celebrate the 150th year of the University of Otago.