Stunning cultural artwork
An invitation to explore the rich coastal history through art
Stunning Cultural Artwork along a 60km stretch of the beautiful Kaikōura coastline invite community and visitors to take a break, enjoy the views and reflect on the rich local history.
The 20 plus locations are part of the Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency’s $231 million safety, resilience, access and journey reliability package. Late 2018 the Alliance and Cultural Advisory Group (CAG)* held a hui to discuss stories of cultural significance that could be told along the coastline – the first step in this important journey.
*The Cultural Advisory Group (CAG) was made up of mandated members from Te Rūnanga o Kaikōura, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, KiwiRail and the NCTIR Alliance. The CAG was established in 2018 by the Alliance and Treaty Partners to engage at a local level with the Rūnanga on all design and construction aspects across the recovery and resilience works within their takiwa (area).
Rich history
Over 20 sites along Kaikōura coastline – from Oaro in the south to Clarence in the north – feature significant cultural artwork. Zoom in closer on each map below to learn more about what is installed at each site.
Seven Safe Stopping Areas
Each of these stopping areas includes artwork with an interpretation panel giving a brief history and its cultural significance. Included are intricate graphics relating to a corresponding whakataukī (proverb) in te reo Māori. The corten steel design down the side of each panel relates to that area as does the planting with locally-sourced native seeds and plants.
Artwork at the Ōhau Point Safe Stopping Area.
Tekoteko
As well as the four pouwhenua (carved pillars), master carvers Riki Manuel and Fayne Robinson worked on the smaller tekoteko posts. These carvings are cast in weather-resistant concrete and installed along the coast. The tekoteko posts are designed in two styles, Mania and Tangata.
Tangata at Peketā.
Pouwhenua
Four pouwhenua (carved pillars) worked on by Master carvers Riki Manuel and Fayne Robinson along this coastline represent a local ancestor linked to the area where the pou is displayed.
Te Ruahikihiki at Raramai.
Creation story murals
The murals both north and south of Kaikōura are all interconnected and tell the creation story as told by Matiaha Tiramorehu in 1849.
Each mural tells a part of the story from the beginning of time to the birth of Ranginui (Sky Father). They tell of Ranginui’s wives and his battle with Tangaroa finally ending in the separation of himself from Papatūānuku.
Story murals on sites along the coast.
Collaboration
The Alliance’s design and landscaping team worked closely with Te Rūnanga o Kaikōura from early concept sketches to the final installation and blessing of the artwork.
Safe Stopping Areas
Right along the coast, these seven Safe Stopping Areas are places to pause, explore and learn the special history and cultural significance of this area.
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1
Toka-ānau
Toka-ānau, just south of Raramai Tunnel, tells the story of whaling, whale watching and biculturalism between Māori and non-Māori. This story is represented by the image of three upright harpoons, and ropes that symbolically bind the cultures together. Further south at an informal stopping area in Oaro is a pou representing Hinekura (of Ngāti Ira), who was the namesake of Ōmihi-based hapu, Ngāti Hinekura.
2
Raramai
Raramai, just north of the Raramai Tunnel, focuses on the kaitiakitanga, or guardianship of the area, as well as the presence of dolphins. The pou here depicts Te Ruahikihiki, who was a chief at Ōmihi pa. Te Ruahikihiki moved south to Taumutu, by Lake Ellesmere, and so his carving faces in that direction.
3
Rākautara
Rākautara, which is home to Nins Bin, focuses on the theme of kai moana, and features designs that represent Maui’s famed fish hook. A detailed design has been vapour blasted into the concrete path representing Maui fishing up the North Island (a sting ray), while standing on the South Island (his waka).
4
Te Ana Pōuri
At Te Ana Pōuri, just north of Rākautara, the focus turns from the sea to the land. This area was the origin of a significant track that once ran between Ōkiwi Bay and Half Moon Bay, and it was a planting/harvesting point of food such as ti kouka (cabbage tree). The safe stop features a large vapour blasted compass design, with each point offering a culturally significant name, wind direction, or place in te reo Māori.
5
Ōhau Point
Ōhau Point is themed around its famous seal colony, as well as a genus of rock daisy that can only be found around this area. Ōhau rock daisies are prized for their silk-like fibres, which can be weaved into a korowai or cloak.
6
Paparoa Point
Paparoa Point tells the story of Paikea, the whale rider, and is themed around the almost umbilical connection that the Hikurangi Trench represents between Kaikōura and the east coast of the North Island. The pouwhenua here is of a man named Tūteurutira, and each stair leading to the lookout displays a name from his whakapapa, or genealogical line.
The staggered shape of the lookout references the geological change to the coast and uplift of the ocean bed as a result of the earthquake. Ruaumoko (god of earthquakes) is depicted on the lookout’s internal face.
7
Ōkiwi
Ōkiwi Bay focuses on a once famous spring, Haumakariri, which existed in the area before the earthquake, and celebrates the totara tree, which was used for waka building. Further north, near Mororimu Stream, the pou is Ngāti Māmoe ancestor, Hinerongo.
Artwork journey
Symbolic gateway
The town's Westend Rail Bridge’s colourful murals designed in collaboration with local artist, Brett Pettit, tell the story of early Kaikōura settlement.
The northern pier under the rail bridge tells the story of Rakihouia who came from Hawaiki on the canoe, Uruao. The southern pier tells the story of Rakihouia’s wife, Tapuiti. The couple were among the first to settle in the Kaikōura district with the artwork forming a symbolic gateway into the town centre.
Rakihouia and Tapuiti as shown on the gateway into the town centre.
Peketā palisade
A wooden palisade covers the retaining wall south of Kahutara River Bridge (just south of Kaikōura). The design is an acknowledgement of the historic Pa site about Peketā, with eight tekoteko displayed depicting eight individuals significant to the site.
Tangata tekoteko in front of the Peketā palisade just south of Kaikōura, signifying the site of an historic Pa.
Story walls
The walls along both north and south of Kaikōura tell the creation story as told by Matiaha Tiramorehu in 1849. Each mural tells a part of the story and are all interconnected. From the beginning of time to the birth of Ranginui (Sky Father). They tell of Ranginui’s wives and his battle with Tangaroa finally ending in the separation of himself from Papatūānuku.
Click on the photos and map pointers below to learn more about the creation story.
Te Pō - Te Ao - Te Kore: The Beginning
Te Pō - Te Ao - Te Kore: The Beginning. Click to expand.
Raramai (Rail Tunnel 6): The first of the four murals south of Kaikōura represents Te Pō (the dark), Te Ao (the day), Te Kore (the void), Maku (moisture/damp), Mahoranuiātea (wide-open spaces) who begat Ranginui (the Sky Father).
Ranginui and Pokohāruatepō
Ranginui and Pokohāruatepō. Click to expand.
Kowhai (Rail Tunnel 11): Ranginui married his first wife Pokohāruatepō. From this union came the gods of wind and their different directions. These children resided in the heavens except for Taputapuatea and Maheretukiteraki who came down to reside in the world of light.
Ranginui and Papatūānuku
Ranginui and Papatūānuku. Click to expand.
Peketā (Rail Tunnel 13): From Ranginui and his second wife Papatūānuku came many children including Rehua and Tāne Mahuta. Papatūānuku was first married to Tangaroa.
Ranginui and Hekehekeipapa
Ranginui and Hekehekeipapa. Click to expand.
Rileys Hill (Rail Tunnel 14): This final panel south of Kaikōura shows the story of Ranginui and his third wife Hekehekeipapa. One of their children Tamanuiaraki or Tānenuiaraki has a descent line down to mankind. All of the children from this union reside in the heavens.
Ranginui, Hotupapa, Maukuuku and Tauharekiokio
Ranginui, Hotupapa, Maukuuku and Tauharekiokio. Click to expand.
North of Māngamāunu: The first of the two murals north of Kaikōura tells the story of Ranginui and his marriages to Hotupapa, Maukuuku and Tauharekiokio. There is a descent line from Hotupapa to Hotu Māmoe the founder of Ngāti Māmoe. The children from these marriages reside in the heavens.
Ranganui, Papatūānuku and Tangaroa
Ranganui, Papatūānuku and Tangaroa . Click to expand.
Irongate: The second of the northern murals tells the story of the episode of conflict between Tangaroa and Ranginui. While Tangaroa was away Papatūānuku, his wife, had an affair with Ranginui. This led to a fight between the two gods. Ranginui was injured and came to rest on Papatūānuku.
The separation through to the adornment of the night skies
The separation through to the adornment of the night skies. Click to expand.
Ōhau Point: These final murals tell the story of the separation of Sky Father / Earthquake:
Te Pō - Te Ao - Te Kore: The Beginning
Raramai (Rail Tunnel 6): The first of the four murals south of Kaikōura represents Te Pō (the dark), Te Ao (the day), Te Kore (the void), Maku (moisture/damp), Mahoranuiātea (wide-open spaces) who begat Ranginui (the Sky Father).
Ranginui and Pokohāruatepō
Kowhai (Rail Tunnel 11): Ranginui married his first wife Pokohāruatepō. From this union came the gods of wind and their different directions. These children resided in the heavens except for Taputapuatea and Maheretukiteraki who came down to reside in the world of light.
Ranginui and Papatūānuku
Peketā (Rail Tunnel 13): From Ranginui and his second wife Papatūānuku came many children including Rehua and Tāne Mahuta. Papatūānuku was first married to Tangaroa.
Ranginui and Hekehekeipapa
Rileys Hill (Rail Tunnel 14): This final panel south of Kaikōura shows the story of Ranginui and his third wife Hekehekeipapa. One of their children Tamanuiaraki or Tānenuiaraki has a descent line down to mankind. All of the children from this union reside in the heavens.
Ranginui, Hotupapa, Maukuuku and Tauharekiokio
North of Māngamāunu: The first of the two murals north of Kaikōura tells the story of Ranginui and his marriages to Hotupapa, Maukuuku and Tauharekiokio. There is a descent line from Hotupapa to Hotu Māmoe the founder of Ngāti Māmoe. The children from these marriages reside in the heavens.
Ranganui, Papatūānuku and Tangaroa
Irongate: The second of the northern murals tells the story of the episode of conflict between Tangaroa and Ranginui. While Tangaroa was away Papatūānuku, his wife, had an affair with Ranginui. This led to a fight between the two gods. Ranginui was injured and came to rest on Papatūānuku.
The separation through to the adornment of the night skies
Ōhau Point: These final murals tell the story of the separation of Sky Father / Earthquake:
Ranginui said to Tāne and his younger brothers that they should kill him so there will be life. Tāne asks “How will we kill you?”, Ranginui replied “You will lift me so that light can enter the world”. One branch of Ranginui’s offspring stamped on Papatūānuku and propped their father up. Paia said the karakia and Tāne lifted. Ranginui said to Papatūānuku “I will weep for you in the eighth month and winter”. Papatūānuku said “I will weep for you in the summer”.
After the separation, Ranginui and Papatūānuku continued to see each other and their tears continued to flow. The world started to flood and the suggestion was for Papatūānuku to turn over. Papatūānuku turned over taking her baby, Ruaumoko (god of earthquakes), with her. When Ruaumoko has a tantrum Papatūānuku shakes.
While Tāne was away his wife Hineatauira found out her husband was her father, in shock she left for the underworld. On Tāne’s return he found out what had happened so went in search of his wife. He caught up with her and after a long discussion, she stayed in the underworld and he returned back to his home. On his way home he came across his brother Wehinuiamaomao holding a kete (basket) with nga whetū (the stars). He asked for the kete to use the stars to adorn their father for which his brother agreed.
Inspired participants
Artists inspired by Kaikōura
The immense size of the Cultural Artwork Package allowed designers Ariki Creative to flex their creative muscles, while paying homage to existing artwork, local artists and the spectacular Kaikōura landscape.
Ariki Creative was led by Te Rūnanga o Kaikōura with all the artwork stories provided by the Rūnanga. The installations reference existing Māori artwork in Kaikōura, including the carvings at the Takahanga Marae by Cliff Whiting and the work of local Master carvers Riki Manuel and Fayne Robinson. With specialty support from Creative Castings and Prometal.
"We were looking at the aesthetics across the entire coastline and how we could integrate a design that looks and feels connected across the whole landscape in an organic way."
Blasting brings art to life
The Art Fetiche team has worked extensively with Ngāi Tahu and iwi throughout the South Island so were extremely proud to be part of this important installation.
The huge wall murals took up to a month to blast into place, and smaller ground murals about 15 hours each. The stencils were fixed into place with a specialised vapour blasting used to reduce any environmental impact. Vapour blasting uses 80 mesh grit, mixed with water, which comes out as a vapour and suppresses the dust down to between 92 and 95 percent dustless.
Watch a time-lapse video of a mural being vapour-blasted on to Rail Tunnel 13 south of Kaikōura
Budding artists
Some amazing young local artists decorated the tiles on display in amenity blocks at three of the Safe Stopping Areas.
Children from Kaikōura’s four local primary schools produced images inspired by their visit to the Safe Stopping Areas with Rawiri Manawatu from Te Rūnanga o Kaikōura. Rawiri and artist Nicola Francis-Gibb worked with the children to develop designs that reflect the cultural history of each site.
Marae visits
In late 2019 Te Rūnanga o Kaikōura held a number of powhiri at the Takahanga Marae. Teams from the Alliance had the privilege of learning first hand about the history of the whare and to get an understanding of the special stories behind the Cultural Artwork Package.
Inspired to learn
A stunning, and powerful statement, the artwork from this important collaboration has created a legacy. But much more, they’re inspiring curiosity to encourage more people to investigate the rich history and culture of Kaikōura.
