In December 2022 as the result of a collaboration with some of our neighbours we installed a new sculpture by Te Rongo Kirkwood on Walkway Waiheke.

The striking ‘Pou Ihi’ was first seen by the public at the 2022 Sculpture On The Gulf, and along with many other people, we were captivated by it.

The artist Te Rongo Kirkwood is an internationally renowned mixed-media artist who specialises in kiln formed, cold worked glass. Her work is testament to her love of fine detail, technical mastery and creative experimentation. She explores stories, concepts and themes inspired by the celestial and metaphysical, while also being influenced by the traditions of her Maori, English, and Scottish heritage. And although each piece has a powerful story and underlying meaning, it is also a celebration of the pure, innate, seductive beauty of its natural materials

Te Rongo’s art has been showcased around the world including exhibitions in Vancouver, San Francisco, and Canberra, as well as here at home in Aotearoa New Zealand – and now at Waiheke.

Here are few words from Te Rongo about her work and Maori whakapapa.

“In my practice I am interested in exploring archetypal symbolism that signals sacred ritual, and marks significant events in moments of time, that then become immortalised in memory.

Tamaki Makaurau Tribal Affiliations: Te Wai o Hua, Ngai Tai ki Tamaki, Te Kauwerau A Maki.

“I am a descendant of the Tainui tribes that once occupied Rangitoto, Motutapu and Waiheke islands. There is a story of ours about a duel that took place on Rangitoto between Hoturua of Tainui and Tamatekapua of the Arawa canoe.

Both claimed to be the first to have set up a tuahu or sacred altar, laying claim to ownership of the island. In the duel Tamatekapua was struck by Hoturua drawing blood, which ended the dispute. This became known as “Te Rangi i totongia a Tamatekapua” (the day Tamatekapua shed blood) today the site is known as Rangitoto.”

You can learn more about the artist at her website www.terongo.com

Anyone who is lucky enough to have been there will tell you that Punakaiki is a very special place. And soon a spectacular new $26 million visitor centre at Dolomite Point will add to the experience.

The centrepiece will be a state of the art ‘exhibition experience’ created by The Gibson Group of Wellington.

Visitors will be treated to an extraordinary world of immersive sound and light displays, which tell the stories and history of Punakaiki from the tectonic forces that shaped the kaarst geology, to the manawhenua who discovered it; Pākehā explorers, early settlers, cavers, the creation of the Paparoa National Park, and the iconic Coast Road community.

Inside the exhibition they will be greeted by virtual wahine toa (woman warrior) with a wero (spear). This feature reflects the fact that Ngāti Waewae is one of the few iwi that allows women to perform the wero.

Project manager Phil Rossiter says the project has involved an immense amount of research, aided by Ngāti Waewae and local experts including caver Neil Silverwood and the late Punakaiki historian Les Wright.

Once completed, the building will be gifted to Ngāti Waewae by the Government.

Ngāi Tahu board member Kara Edwards said she took her grandchildren to Punakaiki recently and “there is nothing there to reflect the history of manawhenua or their presence there. But when this centre is built we will come back and my grandchildren will for the first time see themselves reflected in this place. The importance of that for Ngāti Waewae rangatahi cannot be measured.”

Manawhenua blessed the project last weekend at a ceremony to turn the first sod at the site and building is set to begin later this year. This ambitious project includes a Department of Conservation (DOC) information centre, community meeting room, and offices for Ngāti Waewae. It will also make Punakaiki safer and more accessible for all visitors, with a new car park and highway crossing, and walking and cycling paths.

Images courtesy of Sheppard & Rout Ltd – Dolomite Point Redevelopment Project