Nga Whakairo Tupuna

(Ancestral Carvings) These are two (including extra) of a number of totara carvings at the entrances to the Government Gardens. They were presented by the people of Ngati Whakaue to commemorate their original gift of the land in 1880 - hei oranga mo nga iwi katoa o te ao - for the benefit of the people of the world. They were created by master carver Tene Waitere in 1907 and depict koromatua (tribal ancestors) and act as kaitiaki (guardians) of the area.