The plaque at the base of the poupou reads...
He poupou tohu
ahi-ka o Ngai Tahu
A mark of the long burning
fires of Ngai Tahu
Made from a totara trunk, the six metre poupou which stands in Victoria Square was designed and carved by Riki Manuel. It was erected as part of the 1990 commemorations of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi.
The two main themes are ‘mahinga kai’ (food resource) and ‘tipuna’ (ancestors) of Ngāi Tahu-Waitaha. The area where the poupou is located, once was a place where food was gathered.
https://www.peelingbackhistory.co.nz/victoria-squares-giant-pou-whenua-unveiled-december-1994/