A pouwhenua in Lyttelton Harbour has been smashed to pieces, causing sadness for local iwi and prompting a police investigation.
Kōauau o Tāne Whakapiripiri - the Māori carving at Ōtūherekio (Pony Point Reserve), near Cass Bay - appears to have been deliberately targeted.
It's not yet known who defaced the pou, nor what their motivations were.
A Twitter post about the vandalism drew dozens of enraged responses, with many believing it to be racially motivated and akin to a hate crime.
Police told Newshub they are aware of the vandalism and are looking into it.
"Police have received a report of wilful damage to a pouwhenua at Pony Point Reserve, between Rapaki Bay and Cass Bay," a spokesperson said.
"Police would be interested in hearing from anyone with any information which could assist inquiries.
"Information can be provided to police via 105, quoting file number 211107/6722. Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111."
Te Hapū o Ngāti Wheke Chair Manaia Rehu told Newshub they were mourning the loss of Kōauau o Tāne Whakapiripiri, and said its remains would be returned to Rāpaki Marae.
"This pou was created with aroha for everyone to appreciate. The site marked a traditional gathering place of manuhiri (visitors) before being welcomed to Rāpaki Mārae during a pōwhiri," he said.
"Although saddened by this act of vandalism, we are encouraged by the tīpuna (ancestors) of Parihaka to follow their approach to dealing with this. We hope that we can continue to create and spread aroha."
Christchurch City Council's Head of Parks Andrew Rutledge told Newshub they were only made aware of the attack on the pou on Monday morning.
He said they were naturally upset by what he described as a "senseless act of vandalism".
"The pou was carved by students from the Whakaraupō Carving Centre Trust in Lyttelton and was installed at Ōtūherekio (Pony Point Reserve near Cass Bay) in 2012," Rutledge explained.
"The pou was gifted by Te Hapū o Ngāti Wheke and we have been in contact with them this morning. They are arranging to collect the pieces of the pou and to remove the tapu from the site.
"It is very sad when the actions of an individual or a small group of people destroy an important cultural marker that many people have a connection to."
According to Te Pānui, the flute-like shape of Kōauau o Tāne Whakapiripiri was designed in such a way that it would create sound when an easterly wind blows.
Chair of Te Hapū o Ngāti Wheke, Kopa Lee, said after its installation that the introduction of the pou meant "our mokopuna, both Māori and Pākehā, will be able to identify with this land and stand tall".
