A Symbol of Welcome

A newly updated entranceway now greets visitors to Community Trust South – not just as a physical transformation, but as a powerful visual expression of the Trust’s enduring commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the communities it serves.

Earlier this year, the Trust unveiled a striking new entrance featuring a welcoming pou whenua and a Māori-designed roof gable. Together, these elements form a gateway that honours the cultural heritage of Aotearoa and reflects the Trust’s values of manaakitanga – hospitality, kindness, and respect.

“Embodying our value of manaakitanga, the entranceway is a powerful expression that warmly welcomes visitors to the Trust – inviting them in with honour and dignity,” said Chief Executive Jackie Flutey.

The pou whenua, traditionally used by Māori to mark places of significance, stands as a symbol of welcome, protection, and connection between people and the land. It also represents the Trust’s deepening partnerships with iwi and Māori, and its commitment to embedding the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi into both internal practice and external expression.

This transformation builds on a legacy of cultural recognition. In 2007, the Ngāi Tahu Rūnanga of Murihiku gifted the Trust the name Te Pou Arataki Pounamu o Murihiku – the stanchion that all pathways in Murihiku lead to, where people obtain treasures that enable them to fulfil their aspirations. Now, that name is physically and symbolically reflected in the Trust’s entrance.

“The significance of the Trust for its communities – and its role in enabling people to fulfil their aspirations – is now clearly marked at our front door,” said Mrs Flutey.

The design of the entranceway was a collaborative team effort, led by the inaugural Pou Ārahi Maori to ensure the final result honoured both tradition and the Trust’s vision for the future.

This project is more than an architectural update – it’s a visible commitment to a more inclusive and equitable future for our rohe/region. It acknowledges the history of the land the Trust stands on and strengthens the connection between the Trust and the people it serves.

For those seeking support, the new entranceway offers a clear and culturally resonant reference point – a place where aspirations are nurtured, and where all are welcomed with dignity.