Lovingly crafted from ancient wood at Sacred Earth by Matua Louis Kereopa, the sacred pillar (Maori: Pou) was created to celebrate our links with the land, the elements, and the wairua that connect us to the natural and spiritual worlds. Ceremonially unveiled on 2nd April 2017, the Pou symbolises what religious historians call the “axis of the world” (Latin: Axis Mundi)—the chain of being which invisibly binds spirit and nature through the heavens, the earth, and the underworld.

E mihi atu ki Te Matua, ki a Ranginui, ki a Rangiroa,
Tawhirirangi, Te Hauwhakaora, Te Hau e pangia nga kiri o te tangata.
E mihi atu ki a Papatuanuku, ki a Papatuarangi
Te Papa i takatakahia e nga matua tupuna, te papa i waihotia e ratou ma
Te Papa e maroro ki te itinga, e maroro ki te opunga
Te Papa-awhi, e awhi ana i a tatou, o tena, o tena, o tena o nga whakatupuranga e tupu ake nei.
Te Ukaipo, Te Ukaiao o tatou katoa.

Greetings to the sky father, the great heavens, the expansive heavens,
The heavenly winds, the life-giving winds, the winds that caress the skin of all people.
Greetings to the earth mother, extending beyond the visible land and beyond the visible heavens.
The earth mother trampled by our ancestors, the earth mother left in heritage by the ancient ones.
The earth mother that stretches unto the sunrise, that stretches unto the sunset.
The embracing earth mother, which embraces each of us from all generations sustained by her grace.
She that sustains us night and day.

Respect The Area Around The Pou

The area around the Pou is sanctified a Tapu (sacred) area and it is disrespectful to Wairua (spirit) to eat or urinate in that area. Also, because the Upoko (hair) is considered the most Tapu part of the body, removing hair in a Tapu area depletes the Tapu overall.

Doing so will leave you open to spiritual attack, which usually takes the form of an illness, but can sometimes be more severe.

A STORY OF HE POU RERENGA WAIRUA