September 28, 2018
Foundations laid for Matariki waka sculpture
Work has started installing a 6.8 metre public sculpture in Hamilton’s Ferrybank Reserve on the banks of the Waikato River.
Wintec tutor Joe Citizen, who has led the Matariki Interactive Waka Project, says Wintec kaumātua Tame Pokaia has given it the name Toia Mai.
The work symbolises the cultural, spiritual and economic significance of the awa as well as telling the Matariki story.
Traditional Māori music specialist Horomona Horo, who has worked on its interactive elements with students from Wintec, says an app will trigger sounds on your phone as you walk through it.
"It will lead you into the experiential sounds you will hear whether you are walking past the sculpture in the morning or if you are walking in the late afternoon, you will hear and see kōrero about what the stars of Matariki mean and a particular traditional story attached to it," he says.
Toia Mai will be gifted to the people of Kirikiriroa on November 23.
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