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Picton’s London Quay officially reopened this week following revitalization efforts, marked by a dawn ceremony welcoming Te Punga Toitū, a kōhatu, or sacred stone.

A Stone’s Story

The ceremony, held Tuesday on the corner of London Quay and High St, celebrated the completion of improvements to the area last year. These included new pavement, raised pedestrian crossings, plant boxes, and bench seating. Central to the reopening was the placement of Te Punga Toitū, or “the Enduring Anchor,” a stone discovered near Rai Valley and carved at Waikawa Marae by stonecarver Maia Hegglun.

Hegglun described his role in the process as one of revelation rather than creation. “I can’t take the full credit there. In fact, I can take very little. I really just put the stone in the driver’s seat and followed along,” he said. The carving itself incorporates both natural features of the stone and man-made elements, representing the history of Te Ātiawa o Te Waka-a-Māui, from its mythological origins through to the period of colonization.

A Symbol of Time and History

According to Hegglun, understanding the kōhatu requires observation and inquiry. “If you just view the bits that are carved, you don’t get much from it,” he explained. “But when you view it with the man-made bits and the natural parts together, it starts to make a little more sense. In order to unravel that story, all you need to do is ask questions and be observant.”

The welcoming ceremony included waiata, and attendees were invited to touch the kōhatu. Keni-Duke Hetet, landscape architect and director of Waka Group Architecture, expressed gratitude to all involved in the project. “It’s been an honour and a privilege for me to work on this project for the whānau,” Hetet said.

Looking Ahead

Hetet also acknowledged the evolving relationship between iwi and the Marlborough District Council, suggesting there is potential for even greater collaboration. “Our relationship between iwi and councils, it’s getting better, but it could even be a lot better than what it is currently,” he stated, issuing a “wero” or challenge to councils to strengthen these ties. It is possible that this call for increased collaboration will lead to further joint projects in the future. Further dialogue between the iwi and the council could also result in revised approaches to urban planning and development throughout the region. Continued engagement may also foster a deeper understanding and respect for Te Ātiawa history and culture within the wider community.

The ceremony was attended by members of Te Ātiawa, Mayor Nadine Taylor, Councillors Barbara Faulls, Raylene Innes, and Allanah Burgess, council staff, and contractors Fulton Hogan.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a kōhatu?

A kōhatu is a Māori term for a stone, often considered sacred and holding spiritual significance. In this context, Te Punga Toitū serves as a symbolic anchor and representation of history.

What changes were made to London Quay?

The revitalization of London Quay included the installation of new pavement, raised pedestrian crossings, plant boxes, and bench seating, completed last year.

Who carved Te Punga Toitū?

Te Punga Toitū was carved by Maia Hegglun at Waikawa Marae, after the stone was found near Rai Valley.

What does this revitalization and the inclusion of a kōhatu signify for the future of Picton and its relationship with local iwi?

A growing marine issue in the Marlborough Sounds is pitting environmental advocates against the Marlborough District Council. The Guardians of the Sounds, an environmental group, have voiced criticism over what they describe as years of inaction regarding the spread of the parchment worm.

Parchment Worm Threatens Marine Ecosystem

The parchment worm is impacting the health of the Marlborough Sounds, with a council scientist reporting to the Environment and Planning committee in November that three ecologically significant species have already disappeared. The worm is specifically threatening the Galeolaria tubeworm, as it overtakes habitats and food supplies. According to Oliver Wade, the council’s principal coastal scientist, “We’re seeing some of these [Galeolaria] reef systems are actually in really poor condition now… They’re going before our eyes.”

Tim Healy, Chairman of the Guardians of the Sounds, described the worm’s impact as “devastating,” explaining that it “grows into a big fat mat [and] it completely covers the seabed… Most things seem to die.” The group says they first alerted the council to the problem several years ago, but their concerns were not addressed.

Council Response and Prioritization

The Marlborough District Council maintains it is following expert advice. A council spokesperson stated that advice received when the Hauraki variant of the worm was confirmed in the Sounds recommended against pest control measures, citing the worm’s long history in New Zealand, the lack of effective control tools, and associated costs. The council is prioritizing efforts to prevent the establishment of new invasive species, such as the Mediterranean fanworm, intercepting approximately 80 incursions since 2014 through checks of around 2500 boats annually.

The Guardians of the Sounds attempted to organize residents to manually remove the worms, but were warned they could face prosecution under section 52 of the Biosecurity Act if their actions inadvertently spread the worm. The council inspected areas identified by the Guardians in Ruakaka Bay, but a requested study on the worm’s spread was not conducted due to “capacity restraints.”

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a cryptogenic species?

Parchment worm is described as a cryptogenic species, meaning its origins are currently unknown. This makes it difficult for scientists to determine whether it is native or invasive to New Zealand.

Did the council ever investigate a link between the parchment worm and scallop deaths?

A sampling of scallops from the sound was taken, but it could not definitively link the dying scallops to the spread of parchment worm.

When did the council first receive information about the parchment worm?

According to a council spokesperson, they were first contacted by Oliver Wade about the parchment worm in 2019.

Given the ongoing concerns and the council’s current approach, what impact will the parchment worm have on the long-term health of the Marlborough Sounds ecosystem?