Carvers make a mark

Master carver Delani Brown explaining the significance of the new pou whakarae (entrance carving) created for the Department of Conservation's Taupo offices by a group of eight young men from Taupo, Turangi, Mangakino and Mokai. Photo / Laurilee McMichael

A generosity of spirit, a connection to whakapapa, a sharing of skills and stories and an investment in the future - they all came together in a creative carving journey for eight young local men. The men, led by master carver Delani Brown, titled their journey E tu nga rangatira mo apopo, which means "to stand as leaders of tomorrow".

Under Mr Brown's guidance, they together created a beautiful pou whakarae (entranceway carving) for the Department of Conservation's new Taupo office. The young men, all students at schools in the Taupo district, from Mangakino to Turangi, created a pou whakarae representing kaitiaki (guardianship), whanau (family) and aroha (love), with nods to Rangi the sky father and Papatuanuku the earth mother, to water and to forests and nature. It was created from logs sourced by DOC from Lake Taupo, and a telephone pole from Opepe.