Te Manawa, 2003 (detail) Totara, Dave Te Hira, Te Rarawa.

Te Manawa - The Heart

A feature of the Rotary Foyer is a carving by local carver Dave Te Hira.

He taonga tenei e korero ana mo te manawa o te Whirinaki Whare Taonga.

E wha nga kanohi kua whakairotia; Ka timatahia I te Tapararo, te raawhiti, te tonga me te uru. He korero enei mo nga kaawai heke e noho ana ki tenei rohe.

E wha nga harakeketanga kua rarangahia; He korero tenei mo te maha noa atu o nga manuhiri, mai I te ao katoa, ki te whare Whirinaki Whare Taonga.

Ko nga poohatu kei raro iho, I ahu mai I te awa o Te Awakairangi; He korero enei mo te whaariki tuuturu, te papa I whakatauhia mo te hunga e noho ake nei.

Ko tenei rakau, he Totara, runga atu I te kotahi tona te taumaha.

This treasure stands and signifies the heart of Whirinaki Whare Taonga.

Traditional Maori carving styles have been carved in the four faces, starting with the North (top front) East (bottom front) South (top rear) West (bottom rear).

These faces represent the people in our community with its cultural diversity.

Four thick strands of natural flax fibre has been woven together and embrace our carving to acknowledge the many visitors to Whirinaki Whare Taonga from all over the world.

The stones at the base are from the Hutt River and represent a strong foundation, and the land upon which the Upper Hutt community is built.

This carving is made from native New Zealand Totara and weighs 1.3 tons.