Whisper Cove Donates Trees to Local Maori

Media Statement

17th October, 2007

Whisper Cove Donates Trees to Local Maori

Whisper Cove, a luxury residential development overlooking Kawau Bay, has donated one Macrocarpa tree and six Totara trees to the local Ngati Manuhiri Iwi to be used in traditional Maori carvings. Specialist carvers from the Iwi will be creating two carved poles (pouwhenua), two tables and a bench seat to be put back into the beach reserve. Each carving will display a plaque explaining the meaning behind the artwork.

The non-native Macrocarpa tree was one of the last relics of what used to be a pine forest. Whisper Cove’s Resource consent demanded that the tree be removed. However, senior project manager, Gary McShane did not want the tree to be wasted:

‘We were really keen to reuse the tree and put it back into the area. So, we contacted the local Iwi and they agreed to create some beautiful traditional Maori carvings.

‘The carvings will be available for anyone and everyone to enjoy as they will be located in the public beach reserve opposite Whisper Cove’.

Ringi Brown, environmental officer at Ngati Manuhiri says:

‘We want the carvings to encompass the local area: the moana (the ocean) and the ngahere (the bush). These carvings will represent the pioneers that were here long ago, the people that are living here now and the people yet to live here. We really hope that people will enjoy the carvings and take on board what they stand for’.

The carvings will be in the reserve by mid-2008

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