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Civic House treasures
Civic House
Civic House sits on the site of the old Central Post Office on the corner of Trafalgar and Halifax streets. Built in the 1970's it is now home to Nelson City Council. An image of the old building is captured in a porcelain plate and can be seen along with other gifts to the city in the public reception area adjacent to the Council Chamber. A key feature of the building is the tower with a four faced clock which came from the earlier building.
Civic House clock
The earthquake proof restoration by local horologist Henry Rodgers of the Civic House clock attracted world wide interest. In 1981 he took on the task of restoring the Chief Post Office clock to go on the tower of the new Civic House. The clock dated from the early 1900's, and the tower it graced was a well known landmark.
After the 1931 Napier earthquake, government regulations drove the demolition of buildings considered to be a risk. In 1970 the Post Office was demolished and the clock dismantled by local jeweller Ian Bint. Using Bint's detailed drawings Rodgers spent 960 hours on the challenging task of restoration made more difficult by the fact that the new Civic House Tower was 25 feet shorter than the previous structure. He devised an electrical winding system to replace the original winding weights and found a way to control the movement of the heavy pendulum and weights, which could be very destructive in an earthquake. The system was tested 29 October 1982 and worked perfectly. The family connection with the clock has endured with Henry's son, John Rodgers maintaining the clock today.
Such was Henry Rodgers's skill that he was commissioned by New Plymouth Council to restore their 1906 clock into a new tower in 1985.
Ceremonial Cloak gifted by Te Arikinui
The Ceremonial Cloak gifted by Te Arikinui can be found at the entry to the Council Chamber. In 2005 this miniature ceremonial cloak was gifted to the people of Nelson by Māori Queen Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangi Kaahu when she visited at the opening of the wharekai at Whakatū Marae.
Her private secretary, Taini Rutene, explained the significance of the cloak, called "Ma te huruhuru te manu ka rere." This little feather cloak or kakahu, is a symbol of the aroha and admiration of the people of Waikato Tainui for their faraway kin who have settled in the Nelson region, and recognises the warm hospitality of that city and its community. It is also recognition of the potential in continuing such relationships, thus the phrase cited above which means, "By her feathers, a bird may fly."
"Ma te huruhuru te manu ka rere" was made by a student of the Rangihinemutu Korowai Wananga of the Waikato.
According to Maori tradition, a cloak is much more than a garment. It is a metaphor for friendship, support, and protection. In the miniature form, they mark the significance of the beginning of a life's journey, such as at the baptism and christenings of new-born babies. A newborn is welcomed into the family, and they are honoured by being enfolded in little cloaks just like this one.
Council chamber cannons
Two signalling cannons, originating from a shipwreck thought to be the Fifeshire, proudly sit above the Civic Flag in the Council Chamber.
The cannons were manufactured at a foundry in Tavistock , England. It is thought that Ship's Captain gave them to the Mayor of the time, thanking the community for the care of the crew and himself.
The cannons were first cared for by Mayor Francis Trask, Nelson's Mayor from 1890 until 1900, who displayed them outside his home for many years. On his death they were bequeathed to his family doctor, Dr Johnston of Trenfield in Hardy Street. On Johnston's death they went to his daughter, Aileen Johnston, first wife of Dr Humphrey Belton, who died in 1967.
Their last owner, William David Stoney Johnston, bequeathed them to Nelson City Council when he died in 1999.
The Belton and Johnston families presented the restored cannons and carriages to Council in 2005.
Pou Pou carvings outside Council chambers
The Taonga which stand either side of the doors to the Council chambres, were presented to the Nelson City Council on July 17 1990, by representatives of the Whakatū Marae. They were carved by the artisans of Whakatū Marae and the master carver was Mark Davis.
The carvings are known as Pou Pou, which are the upright slabs that form the solid framework of the walls of a whare (house).
Nga Tupuna Matua A Tumuki (The Ancestors of the Tumuki)
Tumuki is the an ancient name for the South Island, and this Taonga is named to represent the ancestors of Tumuki. It is the first of two pouwhakairo especially chosen and carved by the carvers of Te Whakatū Marae for the Nelson City Council and the people of Nelson.
A lot of research went into the whakapapa (genealogy) of the piece, as it embraces one of the oldest and most original of all of early South Island tribal iwi who were the first to settle and occupy this area of New Zealand.
It is debatable whether there is one true original occupant of Te-waka-a-maui (literally Maui's canoe, another name for the South Island) from information gleaned from early records and stories. Local iwi take their findings from legends of Rakai-Hau-Tu (The strider and Digger) and his son Te-Raki-Houia (who circumnavigated the South Island in the canoe Uruao) reputed to be the founders of the Waitaha tribe, the first of a succession of the ancient tribes of the South Island.
A few of their direct descendants were the Kati Rakai people (Ngati-Rakai) Rapuwai, and so on, and records show that the Kahui Tipua (a race of mythological giants) were in residence prior to the arrival of Rakai-Hau-Tu and his son Te-Raki-Houia.
There is another story of Rongo-i-Tua. Certain names appear in the Waitaha version that shed light on a further ancient tribe, Ngati-Kuia, who have very strong historical links with Te-Tau-Ihu-o-Te-Waka-a-Maui (the prow of the canoe of Maui /the top of the South) mostly at Te Hoiere (the Marlborough Sounds). Those links should be acknowledged as they deal with two names, Te wai-i-Manongia and his son Tauhanga-Ahu of the Waitaha tribe, and another story of a chieftain of those times (prior to the Kati-Mamoe invasion of around 1550) Tutewaimate the son of Popotahi of Rakaia, who was slain by a brigand named Moko, the son of Hautere. When referencing genealogy told to J. Cowan by Kipa-Hemi-Whiro of Okoha in 1908, we see the link with the descendants of Waitaha (prior to the arrival of Kurahaupo canoe and its descendants to Aotearoa).
Matua-Hutere Matua-Kuha Tukawae Kuia Wai-Nui-O-Ono (F) who married Koangaumu (M) of Kurahaupo Canoe Maihi (a descendant), Pupiphhi (a descendant), Kipa-Hemi-Whiro.
A further genealogical table can also link Ngati Kuia with Awa, or Awatapo, the brother of Rauru, or Po, all of Kurahaupo Canoe. According to the Whakapapa of Dr John Mitchell of Ngati-Tama, there are strong links with Paraninihi-Ki-Waitotara through the Kurahaupo Waka from other descendants, but with this first Taonga-Pou Pou-Whakairo, Ngati-Kuia are an early presence:
1.Kahuia-Tipua - 1477 (approximate arrival of Waitaha)
2. Waitaha occupation 1477 - 1577
3. Ngatimame occupation 1577 - 1677
4.Ngai Tahu occupation 1677 - 1827 (date of Te Rauparaha's invasion)
Download the file for a detailed description of Nga Tupuna Matua A Tumuki. (200KB PDF)
Te Whakakotahitanaga-Ate-Rangimārie-ki-te Whakatū (the Unity, Harmony and Wellbeing in Nelson)
This Pou Pou represents unity between the Maori and Pakeha, as well as representing the the unity of all people in Nelson.
In recent years Nelson has experienced growth in the unity among the various iwi and hapu (sub-tribes), and this carving is a reflection of the splendid and caring relationship between fellow Nelsonians. The carver believes that the Nelson community is totally and unstintingly supportive of local iwi efforts to improve their image and presence, not only as a united Maori community, but also a caring and sharing one - a situation that could well be the envy of many of our larger New Zealand cities and mixed communities.
This taonga also recognises that among Nelson's Maori community, there is an increase in knowledge about local iwi and our very important history, heritage and future.
This second poupou whakairo acknowledges not only the past since 1827, the time of the invasion by the forces of Te Rauparaha (and subsequent conquest), but also that as a result of those times a united Maori community has been drawn together through the observance of the Kawa or protocol of Tainui, from whom many of the local tribes have links through being participants in those early years of conquest.
Those tribes today are represented not only in the carving and genealogy of this second taonga, but also in a new wharenui (or Whare whakairo / carved house) at Whakatū Marae, where the genealogy will be preserved for the future.
Another very important part of this second taonga is the fact that it also represents in a carved part of the genealogy, the generosity of the people of Nelson, the Mayor and other Civic dignitaries and institutions who gave so freely of their support in time and money, so we could enjoy a wonderful asset together, a kua mutu te korero, ka huri.
Ko Tainui te waka Ko Hoturoa te Ariki Rangatira Ko Maungatapu to Maunga Ko Te Maitai te Awa, te Wai-Ora Whakaronga mai, Whakaronga mai, Whakorongo mai
ki nga hau e wha Titiro mai koe ki nga waka onga hau e wha Titiro mai koe ki nga mana mea nga tangata whenua
o enei moutere, o enei waka, titiro mai ki nga kai hoe
Ngati Kuia, Ngati Koata, Ngatitoarangatira, Ngati Rarua, Ngati Tama, Te Ati Awa, Ngatitumatakokiri , ia ratou, ia ratou.
Te Kotahitanga-Ate-Rangimārie
Ki Te Whakatū Ranginui
Battle of Trafalgar
The Battle of Trafalgar 1805 painted by artist Ian Hansen, was commissioned by Sir Pat and Lady Goodman and gifted to the city in April 2008. Hansen is known for his well researched and historically accurate paintings. The large painting depicts Lord Nelson's famous battle. The painting can currently be found at The Suter.
Nelson's Last Signal
The painting of Nelson's Last Signal by J Davidson shows Nelson on the bridge of the Victory in the midst of the battle. Sir Earnest Davis, Mayor of Auckland made the gift to Nelson to mark Nelson's centenary in 1941, and in memory of his family links to the city. The imposing painting can be found in the foyer adjacent to the Council Chambers
Sculpture of Lord Nelson
A bronze bust of Lord Nelson by sculptor Paul Walshe was presented to the city by the Nelson Civic Trust in 1995. It can be found in the foyer adjacent to the Council Chambers
Tukutuku pare
The Tukutuku pare which sit above the doors of the Council Chamber were commissioned by Council for the refurbishment of the Council Chamber in 2007. They complement the pou on either side of the doors which were carved by master carver Mark Davis at Whakatū Marae and presented to Council in 1990. The pare and pou together tell the stories of local iwi and their ancestors.
For more information on the Tukutuku go here.
