Its pole position will be no more

The Canadian totem pole in the Government Gardens will be removed during a special ceremony next week. Photo / Stephen Parker

A Canadian totem pole given to Rotorua 24 years ago and installed in the Government Gardens has reached the end of its life and will be taken down.

Made of western red cedar and presented to Rotorua to celebrate New Zealand's sesquicentennial (150 years) in 1990, the totem pole has suffered from ongoing decay for some time.

It underwent restoration work in 2003, but has continued to rot and has now reached the end of its life outdoors. It will be removed from the gardens, with the blessing of its creator, Chief Tony Hunt, a master carver and tribal elder of the Kwagiulth Indians of Vancouver, Canada.

Before its removal on Monday, it will be blessed, as dictated by Kwagiulth custom. Reverend Tom Poata will conduct the blessing.

Chief Tony Hunt, Canada's High Commission and Ngati Whakaue were consulted about the decommissioning of the totem pole.

Councillor Glenys Searancke said the totem pole was a special gift and the decision to decommission was difficult to make.

"We're sad to see it go," Mrs Searancke said.

"Having restored it once, we're unfortunately not able to save it this time.

"It will be disposed of in an appropriate manner after consultation with those who donated it to Rotorua.

"We do feel privileged to have had it in Rotorua and it was important to us that the removal be done in a culturally sensitive way. We want to honour the spirit in which it was gifted," she said.