North Canterbury News: February 27, 2020
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NEWS<br />
<strong>North</strong> <strong>Canterbury</strong> <strong>News</strong>, <strong>February</strong> <strong>27</strong>, <strong>2020</strong><br />
13<br />
Rightfulplace ... Ngai Tahu master carver Fayne Robinson,left, and NgatiKuri<br />
representativesMaurice Manawatu and Rawiri Manawatu blessed the returned pounamu<br />
before it was unveiled at the Hanmer Springs pools on Mondaymorning.<br />
PHOTO:SUPPLIED<br />
Pounamu sculpture<br />
returned to plinth<br />
By ROBYN BRISTOW<br />
Aprecious pounamu artwork stolen<br />
from its plinth at the Hanmer Springs<br />
Thermal Pools and Spa grounds has<br />
finally come home.<br />
The waterdroplet sculpture was<br />
stolen early in the year by an offender<br />
caught on the complex’s security<br />
cameras.<br />
The piece, which stands about 50<br />
centimetres high, was carved in 2017<br />
by Ngai Tahu master carver Fayne<br />
Robinson, along with his nephew<br />
Caleb Robinson. It was hewn from one<br />
of the largest greenstone boulders<br />
ever found in the South Island. It<br />
symbolises the pool’s famous thermal<br />
waters.<br />
Following abig effort, the pounamu<br />
was recovered five days later, on<br />
January 15, by <strong>Canterbury</strong> Police at a<br />
Christchurch property.<br />
The pounamu was then returned to<br />
Ngai Tahu’s Christchurch<br />
headquarters and blessed.<br />
Mr Robinson polished the pounamu<br />
and readied it for its return to Hanmer<br />
Springs.<br />
On Monday morning the pounamu<br />
was returned to its plinth.<br />
He said he was surprised it came<br />
home.<br />
‘‘I certainly did think it was gone for<br />
good. My immediate thought was,<br />
‘well, they can’t sell it as asculpture,<br />
but they can cut it up and sell it in<br />
pieces’.<br />
‘‘To get it back in five days, it was a<br />
very quick response and shows the<br />
system works.<br />
‘‘Now that it’s home, Ithink it will be<br />
there for along time.’’<br />
Pools general manager Graeme<br />
Abbot said: ‘‘We were devastated<br />
when it was stolen.<br />
‘‘It means agreat deal to us at the<br />
complex, given its acknowledgement<br />
of, and ties to, our rich history and the<br />
fact Ngai Tahu used to stop and bathe<br />
in the springs as they travelled across<br />
the South Island.’’<br />
Mr Abbot said the outpouring of<br />
support from the community had been<br />
overwhelming, following news of the<br />
theft.<br />
‘‘I would like to say ahuge thankyou<br />
to all those who showed us support<br />
and especially the police in finding<br />
this precious taonga.’’<br />
SUNDAY<br />
8MARCH <strong>2020</strong><br />
12.00pm to 3.00pm<br />
Trousselot Park,<br />
Charles Street, Kaiapoi<br />
FREE ENTRY <br />
FREE bouncy castles, Pedal Go Karts, Paddleboats, Flip Out Trampoline <br />
Fundraising activities provided by Community Groups <br />
Familiar face ... Former Rangiora New Life School principal Brian Seatter, centre,<br />
rear, has been back at his old school with agroup of students from Lukas Schule in<br />
Munich, Germany.<br />
PHOTO:RANGIORA NEW LIFE SCHOOL<br />
German pupils in Rangiora<br />
EighteenGermanpupils havebeen<br />
enjoying their stay in Rangiora.<br />
The 18 students from LukasSchule,<br />
in Munich,have been on athreeweek<br />
stayinNew Zealand, including two<br />
weeks at RangioraNew LifeSchool<br />
(RNLS).<br />
The schoolvisitsRangioraeverytwo<br />
years,and afurther 16 pupils have been<br />
spending time at Aidenfield Christian<br />
School in Christchurch.<br />
Bothgroups have been accompanied<br />
by formerRNLS principalBrian<br />
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RNLSinternational director Maree<br />
Smith saysthe pupils have beenfully<br />
integratedintoclassesfourdaysaweek<br />
and played ‘‘acouple of friendly, but<br />
competitive soccer games, too’’.<br />
Theyhavealso visitedSumner beach,<br />
had arideonthe gondola, and paid a<br />
visit to Willowbank WildlifePark.<br />
The visitalsoincludes afourday tour<br />
around thetop of the South Island,<br />
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AbelTasman and Maruia.<br />
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EL GREGOE THE MAGICIAN will be performing his magic show<br />
Seftonian Battle Sports, Relay Rail Dog,<br />
Basketball games on the court<br />
Bring ahelmet, scooter/skateboard and check out the skate park area<br />
Food and drinks available to purchase, or bring apicnic lunch.<br />
SPOT<br />
PRIZES<br />
TO BE<br />
WON!!<br />
Organised by<br />
2255036<br />
https://www.facebook.com/kaiapoichildrensday/
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