New King Tawhiao sign

NEW KING TAWHIAO SIGN FOR TAUMARUNUI NORTHERN ENTRANCE

Anyone wanting a last minute photo of the King Tawhiao sign at the northern entrance to Taumarunui needs to take it over the weekend as weather permitting it will be coming down on Monday (2 May) to make way for a new one.

The installation of a new King Tawhiao sign is a major part of the development of the northern entrance that will include new planting along the river bank and a walkway down to the landing in addition to the new canoe frame and activity hoardings put up last year by Rotary.

Ruapehu District Council Property Team Leader Rebecca Van Orden said that the current King Tawhiao sign had been welcoming people to Taumarunui since the early 1980s.

Discussions and planning for the replacement sign started with the local community in 2009, she said.

The following year the Taumarunui Northern Entrance Way Project was established as a joint venture between local Iwi, Taumarunui Rotary and Council.

Understandably local Iwi have been concerned that the mana of King Tawhiao is protected and that any new sign would not exploit the Tupuna and have any potential for commercialization.

As such Council has been led by the Ruapehu District Maori Council throughout this process.

The old sign will be carefully removed, wrap protected and put in storage until it can be handed over to the Kingitanga.

Ms. Van Orden said that the new sign will be installed over the coming week however the public will not get to see it until its official unveiling by King Tuheitia which at this stage is planned for Sunday 15 May.

The confirmation of 15 May for the unveiling is still to be received from the King's representatives so this date may change, she said.

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