Hinemoa and Tutanekai tekoteko return after restoration

Hinemoa and Tutanekai tekoteko have been reinstated in Rotorua's central city. Photo/Stephen Parker

Hinemoa and Tutanekai tekoteko (carved human form) have been reinstated in Rotorua's central city after being restored by their original carver Albert Te Pou.

Mr Te Pou created both carvings in 1994 and has spent the past 12 months restoring them.

They were this week reinstated in Manawa, the former City Focus, attached to two columns which have recently been reclad and had lighting installed as part of a refresh of the area, Rotorua Lakes Council said on its website.

A council spokeswoman told the Rotorua Daily Post the cost of restoration for both carvings, including labour and materials, was $3100.

She said work carried out by Mr Te Pou was filling in all defects, splits, rot, and flaking paint, reshaping the female head and hair, carving and designing kowhaiwhai on to the calabashes, painting tekoteko red, painting moko black and reshaping the eye of the female.

Mr Te Pou was in his mid 20s and fresh out of training at the New Zealand Maori Arts and Craft Institute at Te Puia when he first carved Hinemoa and Tutanekai.

He said they were in a bad state prior to their restoration, which was mainly due to the weather.

The restoration process included fixes due to natural weathering and treatment of the wood using an oil-based primer and then two coats of burgundy paint, similar to the colour of the carvings in Government Gardens.

Mr Te Pou said to deal with rotting he had to give them a water blast and weave in fibreglass.

"It was a job that needed to be done and to be asked to restore them was pretty cool."

He said everybody was familiar with Hinemoa and Tutanekai, as the Te Awara legend of the lovers was well-known around town.

The Rotorua Daily Post asked people passing the carvings what they thought.

Local John Roper thought having them in the central city was good as it was a part of history.

"I think they look quite striking."

Rotorua's Norm Nick said they showed what Rotorua was about and represented the Maori culture.

He said Hinemoa and Tutanekai was a big story around Rotorua and he thought the tekoteko looked good.

Former Rotorua resident Kate Mallinson said they looked "very Rotorua" and represented the culture.