Tahumatua and Tōroa once had their wharenui on the banks of the Waikato River at Ōrākei Kōrako which is a geothermal area known internationally as the “Hidden Valley”.
Following the exodus of the iwi, the mana of their tūpuna has now been restored with father and son once again standing together in the form of pou whakairo.
The log was gifted by the Ngāti Kahungungu Wairarapa Moana Trust to Ngāti Tahu-Ngāti Whāoa Rūnanga Trust.
Ngāti Tahu-Ngāti Whāoa Rūnanga Trust trustee, Evelyn Forrest said the iwi have a long history of working together which goes back to the trading days of kōkōwai for shark oil and pounamu. Routes across the Kaingaroa plains made for easy trading.