“He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tangata, he tangata, he tangata.” “What is the most important thing in the world? It is people, it is people, it is people.”
This whakataukī sits at the heart of a collaboration between Beon Energy Solutions, local hapū and iwi, and emerging Māori artist Reupene Wall (Ngāti Tutemohuta), culminating in the creation of a significant carved taonga that reflects the stories, people and whenua connected to Te Rahui Solar Farm Project.
The taonga (artwork), Hine-Raumati & Hine-Takurua, was commissioned by Beon Energy Solutions, the construction contractor for Te Rahui Solar Farm Project – a joint venture partnership between Nova Energy and Meridian Energy.
The taonga represents Hine-Raumati and Hine-Takurua, the summer and winter maidens in Te Ao Māori. Two manaia, or guardians, face either side and serve as the main atua (deity) within the piece. The designs within the taonga reflect the whenua and rohe (traditional territory) where the solar farm is located, including pungawerewere, or spider web, and kōwhaiwhai, a traditional pattern that represents the workers and people on site working safely together. This taonga is made out of Native timber, Totara from the western side of lake Taupo, in the Pureora area and the taonga embodies the project’s guiding kaupapa: Harnessing the Sun – Protecting the Whenua (land).
The theme connects the renewable energy benefits of Te Rahui Solar Farm Project with the responsibility to care for the land and honour the cultural heritage of those with enduring connections to it.
For Beon Energy Solutions, the commissioning of this taonga reflects Beon’s intention to recognise local stories, cultural values and enduring connections to the whenua through the project.
“Beon is proud to have partnered with local hapū, iwi and the wider community to commission this remarkable taonga from Reupene Wall. The artwork honours the cultural importance of this land, reflects the relationships and partnerships developed throughout the Te Rahui project and symbolises our shared commitment to a sustainable future.”
Kieren Lewis , General Manager , Beon Energy Solutions
The collaboration with Reupene Wall and his whānau has created a lasting symbol of partnership, sustainability and shared purpose, recognising both the cultural significance of the whenua and the people helping build one of New Zealand’s most significant renewable energy projects.
To celebrate the handover of the taonga, Beon Energy Solutions hosted a gathering and unveiling of the artwork, where Reupene Wall and his whānau will share the kōrero behind the artwork and the inspiration for its creation. The event brought together hapū leaders and representatives, Beon leadership, Nova Energy representatives, project partners and members of the local community.
