December 22, 2023
Waihorotiu story revealed in urban park design
A new artwork in central Auckland’s Myers Park reveals some of the history of Waihorotiu, the stream running under Queen Street down to the Waitemata.
Ta moko artist Graham Tipene from Ngāti Whātua, Ngāti Kahu, Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Hauā and Ngāti Manu has been working with Auckland Council on the Waimahara project, which is part of a nine-year redevelopment of the park.
The work combines nature sounds from Tiritiri Mātangi in the Hauraki Gulf, lights from Ion Visual, and Kaynemaile polycarbonate mesh to evoke the ancient waters.
A second part of the project will open in March allowing visitors to interact with the art karaoke-style by singing waiata from Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei composers Tarumai Kerehoma, Moeahi Kerehoma and Tuirina Wehi.
” I can’t wait for March for everybody to hear the song. And when you go to the piece, you’ll sing the song. If you sing it in the right note at the right tone, the art piece will sing back to you,” Mr Tipene says.
Waimahara cost about 10 percent of the $11 million redevelopment budget.