Members of the Waipā District Council, Ngāti Raukawa and Te Awamutu RSA were part of a ceremony at Te Awamutu and District War Memorial Park last week unveiling Māori designed panels on five bridges.
Iwi members taking part in the ceremony at the sunken cross. Photo: Supplied
Two panels, designed by Korotangi Paki, were added to the centre of each bridge above the beds of the Mangaohoi and Mangapiko streams.
One bridge has the panels on the end banister splays to avoid additional structural works.
The three bridges within the memorial park include RSA panels signposting the symbolism of each structure – Kiwi (army), Contact (air force) and Achilles (navy).
“A very successful ceremony was held, regardless of the weather and the fog,” councillor Lou Brown said.
“It was well attended with good coordination between the council, iwi and the RSA as we unveiled the panels on the three bridges at memorial park.
“Iwi unveiled panels at two other bridges, one at Shanel Place and also on the main Ōhaupō Rd over the Mangapiko Stream.”
One of the panels at memorial park is unveiled by Thomas Lord, with help from with mayor Susan O’Regan. Photo: Supplied
Mayor Susan O’Regan spoke at the unveiling of the kiwi bridge, while RSA vice-president Daniel van der Hulst spoke at the contact bridge.
One of the panels on the army bridge. Photo: Jesse Wood
Once the Achilles bridge panels were unveiled, the group returned to the sunken cross memorial for a small ceremony.
This was finalised by a prayer for the fallen, a mihi and the ode was recited in Te Reo and English.
Fellowship followed with light refreshments at the RSA.
Each panel has an intricate meaning. Paki described the significance and design of each panel in detail.
One of the Shanel bridge panels, located opposite memorial park. Photo: Jesse Wood
The kiwi bridge (army) showing the placement of the new RSA sign and the two panels. Photo: Jesse Wood
