November 10, 2023
Giant ancestor overlooks Pounamu Pathway
Descendants of Poutini Ngāi Tahu rangatira Tūhuru have travelled to Wētā Workshop in Wellington to bless a giant representation of their ancestor.
The 2-point-4 to 1 scale sculpture will now be moved to Greymouth for installation next month at the Māwhera experience centre, one of four stops on the new Pounamu Pathway across the Southern Alps.
Wētā design lead Rehua Wilson says it was an honour to work with uri on the work, including carvers Bevan Climo and Fayne Robinson from Ngati Māhaki and the weavers who spent hundreds of hours creating woven accessories for the figure.
Tūhuru led Poutini Ngāi Tahu in the defeat of Ngāti Wairangi of Paparoa, and his people eventually established the pā at Māwhera.