It’s a hapū and community-led initative which shares the legacy of Moerewa residents and marks territorial boundaries for mana whenua – Ngati Kopaki and Ngati Te Ara. 

Not only does the pou (marker post) tell its own story, but behind the scenes the involvement of a local whānau tells another. 

Ngati Kopaki Hapū chair and semi-retired writer and graphic designer Jose Kemp-Baker (pictured right) came up with the pou design concept. She then enlisted husband Gilbert, daughter Honour and son Rankin to help her carve it. 

That wasn’t the original plan. They all pitched in when the hapū struggled to find a carver available to meet a 12-week timeframe set by a Whāngarei building contractor. 

“The initial korero began 12 weeks before the pou was due to be installed, but it was challenging to find a carver willing to complete this task within that timeframe, as well as source an appropriately aged pou for the job,” says Jose. 

“We spoke to our hapū membership, particularly our master carvers, not wanting this to be a missed opportunity for Moerewa. 

“But they were already engaged in other projects throughout the motu and they suggested I had a crack at it myself.” 

Jose is experienced in smaller wood carving projects - toki, waihaka and mere - but primarily sculpts with clay.  

Conscious of timeframes, she put together a concept design for a pou whenua in four hours, incorporating traditional storytelling, grounded by the contribution of those who moved to Moerewa, seeking better opportunity and new beginnings for their families. 

With help from her daughter, son and husband, they began carving at the eight-week mark to create what is Jose’s very first pou. 

The finished pou now stands proudly in its final resting place and has been unveiled. Trail users can admire the craftsmanship and learn more about Moerewa and its shared heritage by using an attached QR Code.  

There’s even a new concrete picnic table for riders to rest and enjoy the pou. 

“The pou whenua is about the people, and their contributions to the building of Moerewa,” explains Jose. 

“It also serves as a reminder to our community to value our tai ao, our environment, that we can, even in these modern times, continue as kaitiaki to preserve and protect our little corner of the world for future generations.” 

Jose says Moerewa is a town full to the brim of creatives - artists, jewellery designers and makers, seamstresses, weavers, writers, talented chefs, actors and musicians.  

“I hope that by my whānau producing this pou whenua it will, in turn, encourage and provide opportunities for other whānau to share their creativity too.” 

Tu Mai Moerewa pou whenua is the fifth on the Twin Coast Cycle Trail and trail manager Tracy Dalton is honoured the hapū chose this spot as its home. 

“I am both humbled and proud to have the pou on our cycle trail. I am humbled to be part of this community and the hapū-led initiative, and proud to see these stories being shared.” 

* Find out more about the Twin Coast Cycle Trail Great Ride or check out all 23 of our Great Rides.