A ceremonial gateway, or waharoa, symbolising the deepening
cultural and business ties between New Zealand and China reached
its final resting place in China on Friday 10 September.
The final steps in the journey of New Zealand's waharoa were
taken last week when it was unveiled at its new home at
the Baoshan Folk Art Museum in Shanghai.
The waharoa, named Te Ara Whānui ki Aotearoa (the Many Pathways
to Aotearoa), was officially unveiled and blessed by New Zealand's
Minister of Māori Affairs Hon. Dr Pita Sharples at a ceremony at
the museum.
A traditional Māori powhiri began the ceremony before the
waharoa was blessed. New Zealand koha (gift) was gifted to two
Baoshan Museum representatives and then the plaque, telling the
story of Te Ara Whānui ki Aotearoa, was read out in English and
repeated in Chinese.
Minister Sharples said the waharoa was an enduring symbol of the
relationship between New Zealand and China.
"While the waharoa project is now nearly at the end through its
final positioning at Baoshan, I am sure that the waharoa will be a
successful catalyst and symbol for the enduring relationship
between China and New Zealand.
"The waharoa, and the significance of it, will dawn a new
beginning of the relationships between our countries," said Dr
Sharples.
The project, led by Te Puia and Tourism New Zealand, was funded by
New Zealand's Cultural Diplomacy International Fund. The waharoa,
and its gifting to the Baoshan Museum, represents the first in a
series of projects aimed at creating 'cultural portals' between New
Zealand and China, which will facilitate cultural and business
exchanges.
Created in the shape of a waka maumahara (ceremonial canoe) and
incorporating intertwined Māori and Chinese designs, the waharoa
stands 10 metres high and 3 metres wide at the Baoshan Folk Art
Museum.
The waharoa is carved from a 3,500-year-old piece of kauri that
was reclaimed from swamp land in Northland. It began its journey in
Doubtless Bay in the far north before being transported to Te Puia
in Rotorua in February.
The carving was completed by Te Puia carvers on-site at the New
Zealand Pavilion over the first two months of the Shanghai
Expo.
"Our unique Māori culture sets New Zealand apart from other
destinations. Having the Te Puia carvers complete the waharoa on
site, infusing both traditional Māori and Chinese values and
customs into this project and the exchanges between the two
countries, captured the imagination of Expo visitors, media and the
Chinese public," Tourism New Zealand Chief Executive Kevin Bowler
said.
Tourism New Zealand secured positive coverage around the project
since the waharoa was farewelled from Rotorua in April, when Prime
Minister Key and China's Ambassador to New Zealand each carved a
small piece of the waharoa.