Kā Pūtahi Art and Connection

The Kā Pūtahi Art and Connection Project was funded by the Creative Communities Scheme and aimed to create a piece of artwork in the Kā Pūtahi near the Rongoā site that provided mana whenua a good place to sit and talk to their ancestors and connect with the land. This project began in 2021 when Kiwi Outdoor Risilence and Education (KORE) ran a weaving session with Belfast school. Approximately, 30 students kayaked down the awa and then harvested the harakeke(flax) to make the baskets for the seats.

The students spent an afternoon creating the baskets and then the Christchurch City Council Park Rangers filled these basket molds with concrete. One of the Park Rangers (Dave) created the seat bench whilst Ra from Mokopuna Māori Arts Gallery & Tāmoko carved the top part of the seat. The Kahukura Rongoā Māori Trust who are kaitiaki for the Rongoā site have supported the project also and decided on an appropriate location for the seat. 

The seat was officially installed during the Matariki Celebrations in 2022 at the Rongoā Māori Demonstration Site.

For more info contact Beth - beth@thestyx.nz