Punga People

The Punga People are a set of sculptures in New Zealand's Marlborough Sounds. They are carved out of the stems of punga, a type of tree fern, and are hidden in a maze of pathways through the bush at the Lochmara Cafe and Lodge. The "Punga People" are said to contain the essence of wisdom and knowledge within, and are made of Punga as it the only material in Maori stories that can contain such powerful qualities. Punga, although not being the physically strongest of all woods, is a metaphor for physical strength not being the only aspect of strength, and that strength of character and of the mind are equally important and valued.