Students who joined a move last year to save historic Maori carvings found themselves involved in a memorable work camp.

In the August holidays a small group of students, under the capable leadership of Peter McLaughlan and Beth Marshall set up camp within the Papawa camp, three miles from Greytown.

The chief aim was to restore and erect the many fine wooden carvings belonging to the pa. A formidable task considering that many of the carvings were found water-logged and deteriorating in the long grass surrounding the pa.

However in spite of the persistently damp conditions the carvings soon dried out, enabling us to set to in earnest on the job of cleaning and treating them with liquid preservative.

Carved out of totara logs at the turn of the century, the numerous carved figures remain impressive examples of Maori craftsmanship.

They are said to represent the ancient cheifs and prominent figures associated with the early history of the pa and include an interesting carved representation of a white man.

The most outstanding carving stand over 12 feet. Of massive dimensions, they display the bold confident hand of the master carver, Tauria Papanui.