Created by artist collective Manu Kopere, these two carved pou were commissioned for the Newtown Library by Wellington City Council’s City Architect, Roger Shand, along with a set of kōwhaiwhai (painted rafters), and a mural.

Both pou are carved from turn-of-the-century totara piles that were excavated when Fletcher Development & Construction started work on Wellington’s Te Ngākau Civic Square Project. Shand–who also worked on the Te Ngākau Civic Square project–ensured the old piles were made available to carvers in the Wellington region. The pou took approximately a month to complete.

The members of Manu Kopere were Wiremu Grace, Tippy Bevan, and Tana Salzmann. According to Grace, the library project was the collective’s biggest commission at the time.

Together with the kowhaiwhai, the pou depict the story of the separation of Ranginui (the Sky Father) from Papatuanuku (the Earth Mother) along with traditional designs.

See also:

• Newtown Library Poupou, Manu Kopere | Wellington City Libraries