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Installation of Pouwhenua for the re-dedication of The Square - Te Marae o Hine

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Description: Council staff assisted by John Bevan Ford, install pouwhenua before the re-dedication of The Square as ‘Te Marae o Hine’ – The Courtyard of the Daughter of Peace. The re-dedication occurred on Saturday, 3 March, 1990

Depicted here are Donald Soames, Graham Toms, John Bevan Ford, and Eric Christiansen.

The following notes were written by City Archivist, Ian Matheson, around the time of the re-dedication. Background: Te Marae o Hine is that part of The Square on which stands the statue of Te Peeti Te Awe Awe and the City Council building. The name, The Courtyard of the Daughter of Peace was offered to Te Peeti Te Awe Awe one hundred and eleven years ago by Matene Te Whiwhi, Paramount Chief of Ngati Raukawa in memory of his ancestress, Rongorito, a famous peacemaker who lived in Waikato thirteen generations ago. Te Peeti Te Awe Awe received the name and offered it to the first Mayor of Palmerston North, George Snelson in the hope that there would be peace between all citizens of Palmerston North. 1990: The City of Palmerston North has commissioned a set of 9 great carvings to be placed in that part of The Square called Te Marae o Hine to form a gathering place for all people. The people of Rangitāne, tangata whenua of this area have imbued these taonga with their mana. They stand as a memorial to Rongorito and a tribute to the vision of Te Peeti Te Awe Awe, Matene Te Whiwhi and George Snelson.