Te Marae o Hine: Pou return to watch over Palmerston North

Wednesday, 3 March 2021

Māori guardians have returned to the central city after taking a break from keeping watch.

Erected on the side of the Palmerston North City Council facing Te Marae o Hine/The Square, three pou were welcomed back, and two for the first time, to the heart of the city on Wednesday afternoon.

Almost 100 people attended the event, that was monitored due to alert level 2 Covid restrictions, to bless the pou, rededicate the kaupapa, or principles, of Te Marae o Hine and solidify the strong relationship between iwi Rangitāne, Raukawa and the council.

In 2017 three Māori figures, that had guarded the outside wall of Palmerston North's City Council chamber since 1990, were taken down to be given new life.

Rangitāne and his grandmothers, Reretua and Hinerau, were restored by Manawatū Museum Services conservation specialist Detlef Klein and the aim was to return them in 2018. Delays put this off until Wednesday.

Two additional pou were carved by Warren Warbrick of Rangitāne.

Wiremu Kingi Te Awe Awe of Rangitāne and Manaaki Tibble of Ngāti Raukawa blessed the pou as a taonga, or precious gift, of Te Marae o Hine.

Peter Te Rangi of Rangitāne and Hayden Turoa of Ngāti Raukawa weaved their respective iwi narrative of the story of Te Marae o Hine, the Courtyard of the Daughter of Peace.

Rangitāne tipuna Te Peeti Te Awe Awe helped to bestow the name on the marae alongside rangitira, or esteemed members, from other surrounding iwi. He hoped the courtyard would be the foundation of 'friendship” for cultures to co-exist, and hoped future mokopuna would ensure this remains.

Mayor Grant Smith supported their rendition of the kaupapa Te Marae o Hine was founded on more than140 years ago.

“The central place is where we can all come together. Te Marae o Hine is a city centre place and represents the foundations of love.

“The nature of these carvings reaffirms its mana.”