A new pouwhenua now stands at Lake Rotoiti School, unveiled by Rangitāne o Wairau during their annual eel harvest last week.
The carving, titled He Pūkenga Wai, He Pūkenga Kōrero, honours Paraone Taituha, a rangatira of Ngāi Te Heiwi hapū, who once owned the lake and surrounding land. Designer Keelan Walker says Paraone understood Rotoiti as a vital hub of inland Mangatawhai trails connecting Māori across Te Tauihu and Te Waipounamu.
Depicting Paraone with harakeke and rivers flowing from the lake, the pou was carved by Shannara MacDonald-Thwaites and Gregory Engineering. “We chose our eel harvest to unveil the pou, as it’s our most popular wānanga,” Keelan says.
The lake was once an important mahinga kai, but restrictions under the National Parks Act alienated customary practices. Rangitāne is now revitalising traditions, with the pou standing as a symbol of identity, resilience and enduring connection to the area.
