Judge's comments:

A stunning example of how a genuine Te Tiriti process can enrichen and bring us all closer together. From carved pou, through to capturing the storytelling and all the other special moments in between, it's the full package.

Description:

Fonterra is on a journey to create a deeper, more meaningful relationship with te ao Māori – one which respects, celebrates and integrates Māori culture within the Co-operative, embracing it as a key part of its identity, story, and culture and values.

Te Pou Mātāpuna is a physical manifestation and representation of this relationship – a stake in the ground that marks the coming together of te ao Māori and the co-operative’s Good Together philosophy. It tells the story of the Co-operative’s past, present and future ambitions, of the organisation’s core values and its commitment to connect closer to te ao Māori – a tangible, iconic reminder that its strength and success come from working together and from a deep connection to Aotearoa New Zealand.

The development and installation of a Pou, as a physical representation of Fonterra’s values, required a highly collaborative process to ensure the story was told in a genuine and meaningful way, respecting tikanga and incorporating the many voices, within the Co-operative and Mana Whenua Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei and Māori carving experts.

The Pou is a culmination of a five step process rich in tikanga Māori: Whakarongo (to listen); Whakawhiti (to reciprocate); Whakamahi (to make); Whakatū (to install); Whakamana (to uplift).

It is sculpted from a single native Tōtara extended to us by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei and carved by the hands of Mana Whenua through Master Carver Arekatera Maihi. The design is inspired by Māori storytelling and is comprised of five sections:

Mana Whenua, the bottom section of the Pou and an acknowledgement of the mana of the whenua and a representation of Fonterra’s connection to and guardianship of this land and people.

Hekenga Tangata, the second section, which represents intergenerational connections, perceptions and historical impacts.

Te Kotahitanga, the third section, an illustration of the strength of Fonterra and its values and ambitions.

Te Tiroroa, the top section, which depicts a giant – a representation of each person that makes up the Co-op and a focus towards the future.

Te Kiri, the skin of the Pou, a reference to the internal workings of the organisation – the pipes of the factory and its other facilities through which its milk flows.