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It’s second time lucky for the ornately carved Pou that are now installed at the entrance of Whangaparaoa College’s Maori studies block.
The Pou were blessed at a dawn ceremony on May 20. Early this year, the night before they were to be unveiled for the first time, the Pou were extensively damaged by vandals who set fire to the black polythene that was covering the carvings.
The Pou were returned to the expert carvers from Paremoremo and Ngawha Prisons, who made them, for repair.
The work took around a month and Principal James Thomas says it included going over each carving with chisels to remove the melted plastic.
The Pou, which are made of totara, include representations of the elements of the school’s logo, including the whale, kotuku (white heron) and Nikau palm.
The vandal/s responsible for the damage to the Pou, on January 26, are yet to be apprehended. Senior Constable Anthony Price says Police have a lead, but are still looking for more information, which can be passed onto him at Whangaparaoa Police.
