I was approached to oversee construction of plinth and installation of a pou whenua to commemorate the 28th Māori Battalion.
Four sided Pou carved by John Mutu and crew at Te Awhina Marae, Motueka.
The pou was proposed to stand at a distance from the existing WW1 and WW2 memorial where the main st of Picton meets the foreshore.
At the construction meeting, a Kuia from Waikawa Marae was present and spoke of the war memorials being male dominated.
She asked for something to join the two memorials and to represent mana wahine. The impact to and contribution of women worldwide.
And commemorate the inherent connection between Wahine and Papatūānuku.
The moko kauae design also reflects two mania meeting as one.
A pleasure and a privilege to be a part of.
Te hei mauriora