Something old, something new

Lee Mohi has 40 years’ service with Woolworths. Photo: Corbie Films

Opening today, the rebuilt Woolworths Taupō Central store on the corner of Spa Road and Tongariro Street may be new from the ground up but on one wall there is still a piece of the store’s 64-year history.

Three carved wooden pou from the original Taupō Woolworths store which opened on the same site in December 1961 have been restored and reinstalled on the new store.

The pou, originally carved by master carver Hone Taiapa, have been restored by Taupō master carver Delani Brown. 

They represent Tūmatauenga, guardian of humanity; Rongo, god of agriculture and compassion; and Tāne Mahuta, god of the forest and all within it.

The carvings are important to long-serving Woolworths team members Lee Mohi (Ngāti Tūwharetoa) who has 40 years’ service with Woolworths and Ravenna Priest, nearly 45 years’ service with Woolworths and the unofficial archivist for Woolworths in Taupō.

The three pou, says Mohi, in a short Corbie Films video documenting their return, are part of the store’s history as well as the everyday working life of the employees.

It was special, she felt, to have the supermarket blessed by the presence of the carvings watching over everyone.

In the film Priest admits when she first saw the restored pou she was moved to tears.

“I am more than proud I am absolutely rapt.”

Given their history so far, Mohi predicts the pou will be around for a lot longer yet.