From back left: Henare Norris, Corey Holland, Misteri McCartney and Trinity Hohepa. From front left: Leo Hohepa Taite-Kupa and Mia Haerewa. Photo: RNZ / Lauren Crimp
Hawke's Bay youth are turning a power pole broken during Cyclone Gabrielle into a pair of pou, under the guidance of a local carving master.
Lines company Unison donated the pole it to the YMCA so rangatahi could learn to carve and create something special to stand tall outside their Hastings building.
On a hot December day - which would be the first of many - five rangatahi with chisels in hand chipped away to turn bland, grey wood into something beautiful, guided by carver Henare Norris.
"We've been just, kind of, following the lines with the chisels and stuff, and taking [off] all the bark to get into the redder part of the wood," said 12-year-old Misteri McCartney.
It was incredible to see Norris at work, she said.
"He's a master craftsman."
But the master craftsman was glad to have the help.
Photo: RNZ / Lauren Crimp
"It takes me about four days to do what they've done in one hour. That's what I need. More hands make lighter work," Norris said.
At nine years old, Norris began learning his craft from his uncle, a master carver, who taught him traditional methods.
Some pou are made using machinery to make quick work of a big task - but Norris preferred working with his hands.
"It can take as long as you want really, I've done some that have taken like three years.
"It's a lot of time and effort, and that's like six days a week three years in a row, yeah it's a lot of work."
These pou, though, would take about two months to complete - and they were worth the effort, Corey Holland said.
"At the end it's rewarding because, you know, like how much time you put into it.
"It'll be at the building forever, at the Y, and then you can say you had a part in it."
Photo: RNZ / Lauren Crimp
The two physical pou will represent the four pou underpinning the YMCA's work: ara (pathways), hapori (community), hauora (wellbeing) and tautoko (support).
Youth development worker Kirstin Makea said Norris was helping rangatahi be part of something special.
"They've actually become a strong part of having our pous [sic] designed, and formed, so that way when the day comes for us to actually put them up, they have that understanding and knowing that they've actually put a bit of their heart and soul into creating something fabulous."
And the lines company was proud to play a part too, Unison communications and marketing manager Kim Parker said.
"We get to take something like an old power pole and then repurpose it into something beautiful that is meaningful for the community, and is something that's beautiful and visual for others to enjoy in the community is amazing."
The pou will be complete by the end of January, when they are to be unveiled at a special ceremony.
