Tu Mai Moerewa Pou Whenua
A Pou Whenua is a Marker Post. Traditionally used to mark territorial boundaries, places of significance, and the legacy of those living there.
The Tuna (eel) is often referred to as a Kaitiaki (guardian). It’s place in Moerewa is historical. As one of our kaitiaki of our Tai Ao (Natural World), the Tuna represents a clean environment, the turning of time in our maramataka (our seasonal calendar based on a solar, Luna and stellar cycle) and prosperity of our people.
For Ngati Kopaki and Ngati Te Ara hapu the Tuna is celebrated in Whakatauki, (proverb), a reminder of courage, resilience, and compassion.
Sharing our home for over 100 years has made us all whānau. This Pou Whenua celebrates that coming together, living alongside each other, of valuing each other, protecting each other and this place we all call home, Moerewa.
Tu Mai Moerewa!
Pou Whenua Explanation
The large Koru: Like the fern frond, the koru represents new beginnings and the ethos of how all our ancestors traversed oceans to settle in this new land.
The Tuna (eel): Represents being a Kaitiaki. The tuna reminds us we are Kaitiaki – guardians of this world we share. If we all contribute to the role of caretakers of the land and waters, the tuna will bless us with their return year after year. He taonga tuku iho mo o tatou mokopuna katoa. – a worthy gift of heritage to all our descendants.
The circles: Represent our story of settlement and the people who contributed to our town.
- Circle one: Ngati Kopaki & Ngati Te Ara hapu – the traditional manawhenua in this rohe (area).
- Circle two: Te rere I Tiria – A symbol of home, of gathering, a place of legend and memory for past, present, and future residents of Moerewa.
- Circle three: Taumatamaukuku – our whānau who have lived here for nearly 100 years.
- Circle four: Simson Park archway – an iconic symbol of Moerewa, tracing its origins to Affco and the families who came back to work, live, and be a part of the community and are still here to this day.
- Circle five: He iwi Kotahi tatou – an example of the resiliency of our township and how we as a people come together in times of hardship.
- Circle six: Te Puna Aroha – The next generation standing up to feed, care for, to help develop Moerewa and to encourage, leading by example for mokopuna (grandchildren).
- Circle seven: Tu Mai Moerewa: To remind us all that we have a shared heritage, our taonga (gift) is this place that we call home, that like those who came before us, together, united, we too can achieve the insurmountable.
The poutama (stepped pattern): Represents the journey of a lifetime that people follow from children to adults. It also depicts whakapapa (origins). The blue ribbons within the poutama represent the awa (rivers) – Waiharakeke and Otira.