Gisborne’s landmark canoe prow carving in Heipipi Endeavour Park set for restoration

The people of Gisborne will be able to watch the canoe prow carving at Heipipi Endeavour Park being restored to its former glory over summer.

Restoration work is set to begin on the tauihu (canoe prow carving) Tūranga Whakamana at Heipipi Endeavour Park, a significant cultural landmark gifted to the people of Gisborne in 1990.

The tauihu was designed by Te Aturangi Nepia-Clamp and Tā Derek Lardelli and carved by Nepia-Clamp and Bill Baker.

It symbolises the ancestral journey of Māori and Polynesian voyagers across the Pacific Ocean to Aotearoa.

Gisborne District Council’s cultural activities manager, Pene Walsh, said the restoration was a vital step in preserving the region’s cultural heritage.

“The tauihu is a powerful representation of the whakapapa and voyaging history of the area,” Walsh said.

“After nearly 30 years without regular maintenance, it’s time to honour the legacy and ensure it stands strong for future generations.”

The restoration will be led by Nepia-Clamp. Work will begin shortly and is expected to be completed by April, depending on weather conditions.

The site will be fenced off during the work, but the public is welcome to visit and observe the progress over summer, the council says.

The tauihu sits on the historical site of Heipipi Village, at the corner of Gladstone Rd and Customhouse St. It was unveiled and blessed in 1990 as part of the 150-year commemoration of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

“This is more than a conservation project,” Walsh said. “It’s a chance to reconnect with the stories of our region.”