Stolen tekoteko rededicated

The theft of a carved Maori ancestral figure from Northland's Ninety Mile Beach has been closed, with a rededication ceremony of the restored carving.

The tekoteko, attached to the top of a pouwhenua (marker pole), depicts Poroa, a renowned Te Rarawa chief. It was put up in February to signify tribal guardianship of the area, and mark entry to the Maori spiritual trail along Ninety Mile Beach to Cape Reinga.

The tekoteko was badly damaged in March, after it was removed and dragged about 13km along the beach at Ahipara and dumped in Te Aupouri Forest.

Master waka builder Hec Busby repaired the tekoteko and it was replaced, and rededicated in a ceremony on the beach at 7am on Saturday.

Te Runanga o Te Rarawa chairwoman Gloria Herbert said it was a simple ceremony, attended by about 40 people, marked with karakia and speeches from elders.

"It was a beautiful day, a lovely still cold day, surf booming. It had been beautifully restored, and everybody was very pleased to see it back in its place again," she said.

Mrs Herbert said the iwi was glad the tekoteko had been found, and so quickly.

"It brought closure to an unfortunate incident that I think was just a one-off."

She understood police had spoken to somebody about the removal of the tekoteko, but no charges had been laid.

She was thankful she had not heard of any misfortune befalling anyone involved in the theft.

"Some of our people do believe that whoever did take it did run the risk, it is not a good thing to do with an ancestor like Poroa, who was known as a peacemaker, but when he was riled could be very powerful in retribution."

- NORTHERN ADVOCATE (WHANGAREI)