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.

Village life

Although the pa is supplied with electricity there are no modern cooking facilities. All the food had to be cooked in large pots hanging over an open fire in a ramshackle cookhouse, and carried 25 yards to the pa.

In spite of these somewhat primitive conditions, a phenomenal quantity of good hot food was served and ravenously consumed.

After the evening meal everyone would gather close around the open fire where we were joined by the Maori boys with their guitars, or a local folksinging trio, and so would continue singing late into the night.

Throughout the week we received many visitors. Maori and pakeha alike, bringing gifts of food, provisions, and equipment, eagerly volunteering advice and information and generally showing a great deal of enthusiasm in the project.

One highlight

Among the highlights of the week was the main get-together held one night in the pa.

We were entertained with Maori action songs and in return treated them to several boisterous numbers from the student song book which were received with loud applause and laughter.

At such times as these, small groups could gather round the older Maoris, who with great charm and quiet dignity would enchant us with stories and myths surrounding the colourful history of the pa.

The erection of the carvings represents only the first step in the major project of restoring the whole pa, a task which will now be carried on by the local restoration committee.