Visitors to Selwyn Ridge Primary School will now be greeted by three magnificent pou.

Crafted by tohunga whakairo (master carver) James Tapiata, they represent Tauranga Moana iwi Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāi Te Rangi and Ngāti Pūkenga, plus the history and aspirations of the school.

Selwyn Ridge School senior kapa haka group members, from left: Grace Gibson Mahirarangi Bezzant and Jaira Angell next to the Ngati Pukenga pou whenua. Photos: Tracy Hardy

Blessed by tohunga and Bay of Plenty Regional councillor Awainuirangi Black, the three pou were unveiled during a special ceremony held at Selwyn Ridge on March 7.

Principal Craig Price says last week's ceremony was the culmination of a year-long collaborative project between the school and the master carver.

'It has been a real honour working with James and the pou look fantastic,” says Craig.

'These special taonga will help connect us more with our community and it's been a really rewarding experience for our students who are all really impressed with the part they played in their creation.”

The students have been very involved with the project 'right from the very first chip”, with several groups visiting the carving site at Te Puna and working on the carvings alongside James.

Once completed, all the school's students and staff then contributed to the taonga by adding their fingerprints to one of the three pou, and adorning another with ceramic tiles that feature special messages.

'So when new students enter the school they'll take part in a ceremony where they add their fingerprint to the pou and by doing so they will be connected to Selwyn Ridge.

'The pou make a significant and enduring contribution to our school and community environment, I'm sure they'll be cherished for generations to come.”