Pou Whenua Rahotia - Rangitane House

Many years ago a great Chief of the Rangitane people stood on the very summit of Rahotia, a fine mountain midst the hills to the northeast of Port Underwood in the Marlborough Sounds.
As he stood there, he contemplated the beautiful vista before him. He took his staff - his "Pou Whenua"- and thrust it into the earth before him. The great Chief said "As far as the eye can see so shall these lands belong to my descendants."
On June the 17th this year Rangitane House was blessed by Iwi and then officially opened by the Hon Chris Finlayson, Minister of Treaty of Waitangi Settlement Negotiations. June the 17th was 173 years to the day since the Treaty of Waitangi was signed by Rangitane on Horahora Kakahu Island in Port Underwood. Horahora Kakahu means "The spreading of the cloaks". Cloaks of the attendant "Iwi" (tribes) were spread on the ground for seating during the Treaty signing ceremonies.
Previously known as the Post Office Building, Rangitane House is an impressive building in the heart of Blenheim. It is now in Rangitane ownership as a result of Treaty negotiations. The building has undergone extensive renovations both inside and outside and is an integral component of the Rangitane business model.
To mark the significance of the opening of Rangitane House aligning with the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi all those years ago a special monument has been erected. It is a giant intricately designed Pou Whenua. At six metres in height, it is made of steel which is already becoming an attractive burnished gold in appearance. It was made by a well-known worker in steel, Graeme O'Brien. The monument is lit internally as are some surrounding young trees. It is truly beautiful when lit up at night. The full name of this special giant staff is "Pou Whenua Rahotia" in remembrance of that great Chief's vision of long ago.
The website is www.rangitane.org.nz for those interested to learn more of Rangitane.
Kia Kaha.