A carved pou named Tāne Mahuta has been restored by a team of expert carvers and returned to its rightful place at the entrance of the Whanganui River Rd.
The pou or pou whenua (a carved wooden post used to mark boundaries or places of significance) was carved in the 1990s by the late Rua Cribb. The design connects mana whenua and symbolises strength and the resilience of the forest and the awa.
During the years the pou has stood at the Whanganui entrance to the Whanganui River Rd, the elements took a toll on the structure.
The pou was restored over several months at a dedicated carving facility at Te Ao Hou Marae. Some of the restoration carvers trained under the tutelage of Cribb.
At Te Ao Hou Marae, the next generation of carvers is supporting the revitalisation of toi whakairo [traditional arts] in Whanganui.
