First Waipuna tree felled

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 12, Issue 575, 28 February 1995, Page 1

First Waipuna tree felled

By

Amiria

Teki

Soft light shone as mist rose and cleared over the valley and the hills of the Waipuna Ridge in readiness for a special ceremonial felling of an otherwise ordinary pine tree early on Sunday morning. The land owners (The Iwi of Atihaunui), the shareholders (Winstone Pulp International Limited) forest workers and contractors, together with family andfriends, gathered to witness the felling of the first tree at the Waipuna end of the Pipiriki Forest. In keeping with Maori tradition tangata whenua (home hosts/family) welcomed visitors to the site, many of whom, as Winstone' s shareholders, are from Malaysia and outside this district. They were accompanied by kaumatua and their

families from Wanganui. Appropriate rituals took place for the cutting of the first tree out of the Ngahere (the bush), paying homage to the source of life. As a seedling is planted, so it is nurtured to grow, when it matures it is felled and already another has taken its place. It was expressed, during this ocassion, both by host and visitors that the future for the children of today , in terms of employment and a better fullfilled lifestyle, lies within such a forest and it is envisaged that this forestry growth will help to pave the way for the next generation. Nigel Ruke was given the honour of felling the tree. He was part of the first gang that planted the first seedlings in the forest and also is a representative of the local iwi.