New Zealand Gifts Glasgow with Two Special Pou

The Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games may have ended, but a little bit of New Zealand will remain behind for the people of Glasgow as two Pou have been gifted to the city.

Team New Zealand had the Pou whenua – which are traditional wooden posts that mark territorial boundaries or places of significance – marking their place in the Athletes’ Village during the Games. They decided that they would like to gift the elaborately-decorated Pou to the people of Glasgow.

The two Pou were designed by New Zealand Artist Rangi Kipa.

The first one has the Kape Rua/Kowhaiwhai design. The Kape rua/Kowhaiwhai pattern was first used at the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games and symbolises the human desire for constant improvement, development and growth.

The second has the Pūhoro design. Pūhoro is the dominant moko (tattoo) symbol used on the legs and torso of a Maori warrior, denoting the power of water as a never-ending stream of energy.

Both feature the Pukepoto/Blue Ochre - the colour used by the early Scottish tribes as a body adornment and now can be seen in the blue of the St Andrew’s Cross, featured on the Scottish flag.

The Pride of New Zealand Tartan which symbolises New Zeleand’s strong links with Scotland also features. The tartan was specially-designed for use of all New Zealanders more than twenty years ago and has been formally registered on the Scottish Register of Tartans. It references the Sporting ‘black’ and the white snow of New Zealand’s mountains and the multi-cultural make-up of the country.

Rob Waddell, Chef de Mission of Team New Zealand said, “We are really delighted to be gifting to the city of Glasgow and the local area the two pou which marked our position in the village. We have used these to gather around, to welcome our team members and to celebrate our successes. The Pou were designed by pre-eminent Maori artist Rangi Kipi, and via the maori designs (Pūhoro and Kape Rua/Kowhaiwhai) they reflect our strong understanding of who were are as a people and where we are from. ‘The Pride of New Zealand Tartan’ is used as a base for both and symbolises our strong links with Scotland and respect for our hosts.” 

The Pou will be exhibited throughout the East End of Glasgow over the coming weeks before a permanent home is found for them in the community.