THIS POUITHI (TOTEM POLE) WAS ERECTED IN
ROTURA, NEW ZEALAND TO CELEBRATE THE
VISIT OF EDWARD PRINCE OF WALES IN
HMS RENOWN ON 29th APRIL 1922
THE PRINCE ON HIS ARRIVAL AT 9-30am TO
THE 'HUI' WAS GREETED BY 5,000 MAORIES
WITH THEIR TRIBAL FLAGS FLUTTERING FROM
THE POUIHI (ALTHOUGH ITS NORMAL USE WAS
TO MARK TRIBAL BOUNDARIES).
IT IS BELEIVED TO HAVE BEEN CARVED BY THE
ARAWA TRIBAL CARVERS, ROTOHIKO HAUPAPA
AND/OR WIHAU TE RAIHI, SPECIFALLY FOR THE
OCCASSION AND TO HAVE BEEN HEWN FROM
THE LOCAL FOREST. THERE IS REPUTED TO BE
NO OTHER IN EXISTENCE TODAY.
PRESENTED TO HMS EXCELLENT 17th JULY 1922
ON THE PRINCE OF WALES RETURN FROM THE
TOUR.