January 16, 2017
Patu taken from Rotorua council
A patu paraoa symbolising the partnership between Te Arawa and the Rotorua Lakes Council has gone missing from the Council Chamber.
The short whale bone club was gifted in December 2015 by Tūhourang-Ngati Wahiao and Ngati Tamateatutahi-Kawiti in memory of the late Mauriora Kingi, who had been the council’s director of kaupapa Maori.
Te Tatau o Te Arawa chair Te Taru White says it has huge spiritual and cultural significance.
“It was a gift to the council and the wider community as a symbol of partnership, hope and prosperity. This taonga has no worth to whoever has taken it and we plead to their conscience for its return,” he says.
It has been used several times during official ceremonies such as pohiri.
The last confirmed sighting of it was on video footage taken of the last council meeting on December 15, and staff discovered last week it was missing from its perspex display case in the chamber.
“We are appealing to anyone with information about its whereabouts to contact council or if it’s in your possession, please return it,” says Rotorua Mayor, Steve Chadwick.
“It has been difficult having to tell our members, whānau, iwi and the patu’s carver that it has disappeared, given its purpose is to hold the life force or spiritual essence of our partnership with council. It also recognised the tireless efforts by the late Mauriora Kingi, who was instrumental in the forming of this union and to whom it’s dedicated.”
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