Location: Corner Logan Street and SH 1

Materials: Totara, Mounted on concrete base with steel supports bolted to pole

Created: 2004

Artist: David Cunningham of Canada

Definition of Name:
Canadian – A person originating from Canada
Pole – A long cylindrical piece of wood, metal etc

Interpretation of Definition:
This title illustrates the sculpture perfectly, this pole is about Canada and its people here in Tokoroa.

Meaning of the Sculpture/Carving:
Canada and Tokoroa are both involved in forestry. The top figure of this pole is standing tall to protect our families. The middle figure represents family and the bottom figure is for the children reaching up for support.
The natural native style of the Canadian people is brought to life through the ultimate natural carving medium of Totara from Aotearoa, New Zealand. The effect is enhanced by allowing the timber involved to retain its “raw” natural colours and grains. Truly a Talking Pole that brings two cultures together in artistic balance and harmony.

Materials:
The material used for this piece is Totara. The log used for this Talking Pole was donated by the Te Putahitanga O Nga Ara Trust.
Totara wood is red, straight-grained and easy to work; although rather brittle, it is one of the most durable timbers known. In the early days of European settlement Totara was used extensively for house piles, house frames and for fence posts. Being resistant to teredo worm, it was also used in the piling of many early wharves.
To the Maori people the Totara was a symbol of strength and goodness. From these trees they made their canoes and their carved whare whakairo, pataka and food boxes. The bark was used for thatching and for making storage vessels.