An imposing nine metre high Pouwhenua (Maori carving) at the entrance to the Wairakei Golf Course

An imposing nine metre high Pouwhenua (Maori carving) at the entrance to the Wairakei Golf Course near Taupo was unveiled at a dawn ceremony today marking the opening of a multi-million dollar sanctuary that has been developed on the 180 ha property near Taupo. Three resident carvers at Wairakei Terraces - a local Maori tourism venture at Wairakei – and three Tainui carvers with affiliation to Ngati Tuwharetoa spent the last five months working on the Pouwhenua. The carving features Tane Mahuta – God of the Forest – and 30 native birds that are perched on a vine of life that twists up the pole. The pole is topped by a New Zealand eagle – Hokioi.