Waewae Pounamu carvers Pierre Tumahai, Anthony Coakley and Julie Nichol travelled to Christchurch on 17 June with Kaumātua Matariki Tumahai and Karen Coakley. They joined Francois and Lisa Tumahai at Te Whare o Te Waipounamu along with Ngāi Tahu Pounamu staff for the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu and the New Zealand Olympic and Paralympic Committee.
At this signing Ngāi Tahu Pounamu and Waewae Pounamu handed over of 480 pounamu toki for all the Olympic athletes competing at this year’s games. It was an honour to have Waewae Pounamu attend this event as they worked hard for four months to complete these beautiful taonga.
Waewae Pounamu carvers also got to spend some time with Rob Waddell – Chef de Mission of NZ Olympic committee and Ben Lucas – Chef de Mission NZ Paralympic committee who received the first two toki on behalf of the Olympic and Paralympic athletes.
From left to right: Ben Lucas, Anthony Coakley, Julie Nichol, Pierre Tumahai and Rob Waddell.
The korowai and taonga worn at the Opening Ceremony of the Rio Olympics.
The pounamu taonga each athlete has received.
From left to right: Waewae carvers – Anthony Coakley, Julie Nichol and Pierre Tumahai.