The beautification and revitalisation of the Hastings CBD and surrounds just gets better and better.
On Friday this process will step up to a whole new level with the dawn unveiling of 19 pou, or carved figures, at the Hastings Civic Square. The pou represent the 19 marae in theHastings district and the unveiling also marks the beginning of the $7.6 million redevelopment of the city's civic square. Nga Marae O Heretaunga, a group representing the marae, has partnered with the Hastings District Council to create a traditional Maori art project that will stand at the entrance of the soon-to-be-revamped civic centre, which includes the Hastings Art Gallery and Hastings Library.
Each pou is being created to form the figure of an ancestor connected to the families and hapu of each marae.
Carvers have been hard at work for the past few months caring the pou in a former library building behind the council's main office in Southampton St West.
This is an important initiative. Firstly there is the cultural, emotional and historical significance for many in the community.
Each marae, for instance, will now be tied to the centre of Hastings.
The new civic square will also enhance the city. A lot has been done recently to uplift Hastings. Hawke's Bay Today is playing its part on that front with our editorial, advertising, distribution and media services departments set to move in to renovated new premises - the Old Power Board Building at 301 Heretaunga St East. Our new building, which we move into next month, will enhance that side of town. Let Friday not only be a celebration of the pou, but also the beginning of a new era where the residents of Hastings embrace their city's inner charms.
