Maori Artworks in the Library
An outline of collaborative Maori Artworks at Waitakere Central Library. Local
iwi and local artists came together in 2005 to create a visual representation of
Waitakere Cities' natural environment and oral histories.
Waka
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| Waka - Click to enlarge |
Te Kawerau a Maki artist Sunnah Thompson in collaboration with Mathew Von
Sturmer
2005
Forecourt Waitakere Central Library.
Local Iwi,
Te Kawerau a Maki, used the practice of burying waka upright not only
to mark sites of significance but also for internment of the remains of
important members of the tribe. These ancient traditions influenced the design
concept for this sculpture. 7 metres high, it is made from construction steel
and clad in laminated marine plywood. Sitting within the sculpture is a pou
(post) representing Te Kawerau a Maki ancestors.
Pou Whenua
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| Detail of pou whenua - Rangihina - Click to enlarge |
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| Detail of pou whenua - Panuku - Click to enlarge |
Te Kawerau a Maki artist Sunnah Thompson in collaboration with John Collins
2005
Forecourt Waitakere Central Library.
The Pou is 3.2 metres high. The design at the top begins with a wave symbolising
Tangaroa/Hine Moana, (gods/guardians/personifications of the ocean). The wave
represents the not just the surf but the west coast, the Tasman Sea and all that
exist within this realm. Below the wave are a series of palisade forms which
reference the peaks of ngā rau pou a Maki (the Waitakere Ranges) or Maki’s 100
posts. Maki was the father of
Te Kawerau a Maki, the ancestor from whom the
tribe Te Kawerau a Maki take their name. He was a famous warrior and also an
ancestor of some of the tribes of the Kaipara Harbour.
Rangihina sits beneath the representations of ngā rau pou a Maki. Rangihina
lived in Te Atatu long ago and was a tohunga raranga (weaving expert). She was
also known for her hospitality. Here she is shown with her woven matt spread
before her.
The male figure is Panuku an early Te Kawerau ancestor. His name is also the
name given to the stream which flows down Henderson valley and feeds into the
Henderson creek. Panuku holds the sacred adze of chieftainship. The feather
represents the tohu which led him to rescue his wife Parekura. Parekura
was a noted tohunga of chiefly rank. She was kidnapped by a taniwha named
Nihotupu and taken from near Te Henga to a cave in the central ranges. On the way she
dropped feathers from her cloak to leave a trail to help Panuku find her. After
tracking Nihotupu and Parekura, Panuku fought and slew Nihotupu. Nihotupu is the name given to the modern dam beyond Laingholm in remembrance of these events.
The
two large eel's that wrap around the Pou represent the kaitiaki of the
waterway's associated with these two tupuna and allude to the presence of life in the
waterways when they are kept healthy.
Matariki boulders
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| Detail of Matariki boulders - Click to enlarge |
Wiremu Wilson
2005
Forecourt Waitakere Central Library.
This is a detail of a series of Te Henga adesite boulders which represent the
Matariki constellation. Maori used these stars to navigate the oceans, plant
crops and celebrate the New Year.
Each of the boulders is intersected by a saw
cut in the concrete that forms the links between each stone. Attached to several
of the rocks are cast iron designs that have been made by local artist Wiremu
Wilson. Wiremu has carved traditional tools, weapons, and figures to remind us
of the presence of Iwi in this area over the past few hundred years. These are
small discoveries that one makes as they pass through the landscape.
Hinaki
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| Hinaki - Click to enlarge |
Te Kawerau a Maki artist Sunnah Thompson in collaboration with Mathew Von Sturmer
2005
Between Unitec and Waitakere Central Library.
This image details a stylised representation of tuna (eel) which decorates the
outside of the Hinaki sculpture. The design of these sculptures is based
traditional Māori eel traps. Each Column has a series of 10 pre-bent strips of
timber attached to the outside of the support columns. On these 6 different
carved designs on each are found including: wai (water), ngahere (bush) crab (pāpaka),
tuna (eel), manu (birds) and patiki (flounder). Each of these symbols reminds us
of the twin streams that run through the area and the nature that they support
if they are cared for.
Handrail bronze inserts
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| Bronze handrail inserts - Click to enlarge |
Mathew Von Sturmer
2005
Staircase levels 1-3 Waitakere Central Library.
The handrail bronze inserts represent some of the native fauna found in
Waitakere City. Selected species were chosen then cast with the concept of
creating sculptural representations to showcase different species, as if you
were waking from the beach up through the lowlands to the top of the forest.
Beginning at the base of the staircase with pīngao (beach grass) moving onto
raupō (bullrush) then progressing up to pohutukawa, ponga and kauri.
Whare Runanga
Level 2, Reference Department, Waitakere Central Library
The Tukutuku panel was gifted to Glen Eden Borough
Council by Hoani Waititi Marae in recognition of its support in obtaining public
funding for the marae development.
The whare is also home to reproductions of
portraits by Gottfried Lindauer. Ngati Whatua rangatira Te Hira Te Kawau (top left) Nga Puhi rangatira Te Hau-Takiri Wharepapa (top right) Tuhourangi tohunga Tuhoto Ariki (bottom left) and Ngati Maru tupuna Ana Rupe (centre) and Pare Watene (bottom right).
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| Te Whare Runanga |
Tukutuku panel - Click to enlarge |
Gottfried Lindauer portrait collection
- Click to enlarge |
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