December 20, 2017
Giant pou celebrate Arawa whakairo
Te Puia has unveiled what it believes are the biggest pou in the country.
The totara pou, the biggest 7 metres tall, will stand at the entrance of the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute’s new Wananga Precinct in Rotorua.
The precinct, which opens in April, will house the national schools of wood carving, weaving, stone and bone carving and a bronze foundry.
The old carving school is being turned into a new gallery, ta moko studio and administration space.
Tumu whakairo Arekatera Maihi says the pou are done in the Ngati Whakaue, Ngati Pikiao and Ngati Tarawhai styles, the first time the three main carving traditions of Te Arawa have been highlighted in the one space.
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