Carving an impressive entry to pa site

(L-R) TEL project director Andrew Johnson, carvers Noel McAllister, Jason Puata, Joel Komene and Dean Flavell, and kaumatua Teia Williams, TEL senior project manager Wayne Troughton. Photo / Supplied

The site of a historic Maori village in the Bay of Plenty has been commemorated with a 6m high carving and palisade fencing.

The waharoa (gateway) structure overlooks a historic pa site which once stood in the area of the new Paengaroa roundabout marking the most eastern entry and exit point of the Tauranga Eastern Link (TEL).

Completed by Te Toi Takapu carvers, the design represents a father and his sons who lived and grew vegetables in the area in the 1600s.

New Zealand Transport Agency TEL senior project manager Wayne Troughton said the waharoa captured the essence of the former Maori village and would give motorists travelling on the TEL a greater appreciation of the history of the area.

"It adds distinctive character to the area, the landscape and the driving experience," he said.

Mr Troughton said the agency had worked closely with the TEL Tangata Whenua Advisory Group and a Heritage New Zealand archaeologist during construction of the Paengaroa roundabout, because of the site's importance to local iwi and its historic value.

Advisory group co-chairman Dean Flavell said the pa site was once part of a network of waahi marakai (gardening villages) in the Pukaingataru tribal lands.

"It was established during the 1600s, in the times of the Tapuika ancestor, Marukukere," Mr Flavell said.

"The village was defended by stockade, which are represented in the waharoa design.

"The carving depicts Marukukere holding a kaheru [cultivating tool] and kumara while his children are shown in the pou of the palisade.

"The work tells the story of the site and what it was once used for and also welcomes and farewells motorists using the TEL," Mr Flavell said.

The TEL project is expected to be open to travellers by late 2015, while the waharoa was unveiled and blessed on July 23.