Towering Taurapa pays tribute to human endeavour
The 9-metre sculpture of a waka sternpost casting its long shadow over the Maitai River pays tribute to exploration and discovery.
As the sun rose on Saturday morning, representatives from six iwi gathered to celebrate the unveiling of Taurapa, a steel sculpture that sits by the waka landing site at Rutherford Park.
Nga¯ ti Kuia chair Waihaere Mason said Taurapa, which means sternpost, represents courage and migration.
‘‘The Taurapa faces the incoming tide, symbolising the future ahead that can be faced with confidence.’’
The steel sculpture was commissioned by Nelson City Council in 2016 and designed by local artist Maia Hegglun.
‘‘Its story reminds us that the only way we have a future is through kotahitanga (strength in unity),’’ Hegglun said.
Beside the sculpture, a pakohe (argillite) anchor stone connects the artwork to the land and the river.
Shane Paratene and Raymond Smith of Nga¯ti Kuia were at the dawn ceremony, where Taurapa’s shadow mingled with the shadow cast by Te Hoiere, the Nga¯ti Kuia waka they brought to complement and support the sculpture.
Smith said the sculpture, and Te Hoiere, which is named for one of the great voyaging canoes that settled New Zealand, was part of a local and nationwide ‘‘waka revival’’.
‘‘It’s good, but it’s just the start of the project.’’
There was talk of another sculpture, a tauihu (prow), that would complete the waka, he said.
‘‘We want people to see waka as something for the community, and not just for Ma¯ ori.’’
The artwork was funded by the council’s art fund and cost $185,000.