Te Pou Rāhui

This mural speaks to the conservation and protection of kai moana across Te Waipounamu through the enduring cultural practice of rāhui. Rāhui is a traditional system used by our ancestors to allow ecosystems time to rest, recover, and regenerate, ensuring balance across the skies, land, and sea.

At the centre of the design is a whakairo representing a taniwha. This taniwha stands as a guardian of the surrounding shores and waters, signalling to local iwi and communities

that a rāhui has been placed. It embodies both protection and responsibility, reminding us that the health of our moana is closely tied to how we choose to care for it. The whakairo is positioned within the rise and fall of the tides, reflecting the natural rhythms of the ocean and the ongoing relationship between people and place. This movement acknowledges that rāhui is not permanent restriction, but a thoughtful pause that allows life to replenish before access is restored. A white square element sits within the composition as a symbol of looking beyond conventional thinking. It represents the need for future-focused approaches that honour ancestral knowledge while empowering the next generations with the understanding and responsibility to carry these systems forward. Together, these elements reinforce the idea that protection, access, and knowledge must exist alongside one another to safeguard our home, our land, and our sea.