Relationship with Ngāi Tahu rejuvenated

Ngāti Tama are rejuvenating the relationship with Ngāi Tahu to support iwi development and capabilities.

In2011,arelationshipagreementwassigned betweenthetwoiwiandwassignifiedthrough a touchstone and base to acknowledge the special intergenerational relationship between Ngāti Tama and Ngāi Tahu.

The pounamu touchstone was gifted by Ngāi Tahu. The rākau base was carved from the same tōtara log that was used to carve the pou tuarongo at Onetahua Marae.

There are two designs running into each other, carved by Tim Wraight. The pūngāwerewere for Ngāti Tama is a symbol of the web and weaving together of unity. The pākura for Ngāi Tahu is a double-sided spiral that signifies the two sides of life.