Sports Pole
This title can be taken literally, this pole shows a Waikato representative rugby player carved into a pine pole. This is one of the original poles in the Tokoroa Talking Poles project and it represents the sporting population of the South Waikato.
The carver was a rugby player and she has incorporated the Waikato colours into her work.
Rugby and even just the idea of sport, the positive channelling of young kids/young adults energies into something constructive emotionally, mentally and physically rewarding is no doubt of the highest importance to almost every New Zealander. The artist believes this is reflected in the fact that rugby, a team sport requiring constant communication and acceptance of all race, opinion and financial backgrounds is by far the country's biggest and most popular sport.
Rugby has been proven to be a force for positive change, South Africa is a prime example of that fact, with their ingrained historical racism having been changed forever through the facet of rugby. This pole represents the love for not only rugby but all sports and all sport teams and the positive change that teamwork, dedication, commitment and love for a game can bring.
| Location | Rosebery Street centre |
| Materials | Pine, Set in ground |
| Created | 1998/99 |
| Artist | Upotoa Aliifalogo |
| Definition of Name | Sports - an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others. |
| Definition Interpretation | An activity involving physical exertion and skill which an individual or team competes against another or others within a community, country or both. |
Materials
The material used for this sculpture was New Zealand Pinus Radiata. This type of pine is originally from California, America. New Zealand pine grows well in New Zealand's soils and climate, providing a strong economical and versatile timber. New Zealand pine produces tall trunks that can be used and suited for wood furniture and all forms of show wood applications, including carvings and sculptures. New Zealand pine is a valued part of New Zealand's economy providing jobs to many throughout the country.
Artist Notes
Upotoa Aliifalogo has created here, one of the earlier carvings for the Tokoroa Talking Poles project, which was first suggested in 1996 as a feature for the town's retail area upgrade. The project was enthusiastically supported by residents and to date, over 40 poles are on display. Eventually, there will be over 60 poles arranged in a trail, with more hopefully, from this artist in the future whose skill and passion for their craft has no doubt had people at a standstill with reflection and admiration. The poles are located mainly around the central shopping areas in Tokoroa.
