The traditional wooden carving which stands guard at the new substation at Hautapu is rich with symbolism, its carver Bodie Tihoi Huitoroa-Taylor explained at its unveiling last week.
Carver Bodie Tihoi Huitoroa-Taylor explains the meaning of the Hautapu carving, a sacred taonga from Ngāti Korokī-Kahukura and Ngāti Hauā mana whenua. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
The totara used weighed nearly 800 kilograms and its age estimated at 50-80 years when it was felled at the beginning of the $75 million Waipā Network’s 33kV substation and Transpower’s Grid Exit Point project.
Once Huitoroa-Taylor, who learned his craft at the National Wood Carving School at Te Puia in Rotorua, became aware of the wood’s existence, he set to work on it.
With the taonga they gifted for the land are representatives from Ngāti Korokī-Kahukura and Ngāti Hauā mana whenua, including carver Bodie Tihoi Huitoroa-Taylor, rear and to right of the Hautapu carving, and kaumatua Haimona Samuels, extreme right. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
Within six weeks the taonga called Hautapu – embodying its meaning Sacred Winds – gifted by Ngāti Korokī-Kahukura and Ngāti Hauā mana whenua, was finished and unveiled in front of 200 invited guests in Forrest Rd, west of Cambridge.
The substation will support Waipā district’s growing population around Cambridge, tipped to expand to around 75,000 people over the next 25 years with another 13,200 homes.
Vinnie Taute welcomes guests on behalf of Ngāti Korokī-Kahukura and Ngāti Hauā mana whenua to the substation opening. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
Located in one of Waikato’s fastest-growing industrial zones, the new substation is designed to power the future, enabling electrified transport, low-carbon agriculture, regional manufacturing, and greater integration of solar, battery and smart grid technologies.
The carving represents two significant mountains – Maungatautari and Maungakawa and the invisible, yet powerful, energy that connects them, said Huitoroa-Taylor.
“If you were a drone and you looked through the valley, you’d see there has been a lot of progress whether it be hydro dams or the electricity lines or the people that followed the dams through to Turangi.”
Waipa mayor Susan O’Regan watches on as the special taonga is unveiled with to her right Ngāti Korokī-Kahukura and Ngāti Hauā’s Haimona Samuels and Orion Group chief executive Nigel Barbour at the Hautapu Substation Commissioning. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
Since the 1830s, there had always been something moving and shaking in the valleys, he said.
The carving represents the role of leadership and service and acknowledges growth.
“This carving is about people taking roles and developing from the grassroots up,” he said, a reference to a message of empowerment and resilience for the people of Cambridge.
Transpower executive general manager Grid Delivery Mark Ryall says the project means lines companies can provide more power to their communities and big industrial users can electrify their operations. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
It also honours human progress and pays tribute to the environment. Shells in the shape of eyes, one big, one small, represent observation and awareness, he said.
“We’ve got two sorts of intelligences in this rākau (wood). One is the taiao or the environment – mountains and water, winds and elements and you’ve got people. It is all about understanding that.”
The development must value both the land and the people who live on it, he said.
Waipā mayor Susan O’Regan acknowledged the carving and the substation commissioning.
“It is more than the completion of a critical infrastructure project – it’s a powerful symbol of growth, progress and foresight and represents confidence in our district’s future.”
Catherine Haworth (nee Hargreaves) was the fourth generation on the land, 20ha of which was acquired for the substation project. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
The council had set aside 130ha for industrial development across Cambridge and Te Awamutu, with Hautapu at the centre.
“That’s huge and it’s going to make a real difference – not just locally but for the whole Waikato,” she said.
“The future is electric, and it is being built right here in Waipā. These projects reflect our shared ambition – to be a district that leads, that plans smartly and that welcomes growth.”
It is more than flicking a switch to turn on power, said O’Regan.
“We turn on potential for new homes, new businesses and a better future for the people of Waipā.”
Waipā Networks chief executive Sean Horgan said completion represented a solid step forward for his business and the district’s energy future.
Waipā Networks chief executive Sean Horgan said the substation was more than a technical achievement, it is a declaration of intent. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
