‘Te Paparahi Toi Māori’ provides a walking-guide to over 80 sites of public art, architectural design, and historical sites across Tāmaki Makaurau helping to ensure that tangata whenua (local people) see themselves and their culture in the modern landscape.
Check out these 10 new must-see toi Māori (Māori artworks) in Auckland’s city centre that have recently been added.
1. Waimahara, 2024 - Captivating Display of Light and Sound
Waimahara, an extraordinary interactive new Māori artwork in Myers Park, springs to life with mesmerising light and sound displays in response to special waiata.
Commissioned by Auckland Council, this unique creation by artist Graham Tipene (Ngāti Whātua, Ngāti Kahu, Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Hāua, Ngāti Manu), technology experts IION, and skilled composers features two original waiata for the project.
2. Te Kōmititanga, 2020 - The Merging of Waters and People
Located in the city’s largest public square, Te Kōmititanga, meaning ‘to mix’ or ‘to merge’ was gifted by local hapū Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei as a powerful symbol of the convergence of people and waters.
3. Te Wharekura, 2023 – A Treasure Box of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei
The 108-year-old heritage kiosk next to the Tāmaki Makaurau downtown ferry terminal has been repurposed into a cultural and marine education space to create a new destination on the increasingly beautiful waterfront.
4. Te Tōangaroa Mural Collection, 2021-2024 – Telling Stories of Place
This captivating mural collection celebrates the deep connection of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei to te taiao (the environment) of Tāmaki and depicts the importance of welcoming different cultures and diversity.
5. Te Nukuao, 2020 – A Shelter of Both Passage and Pause
Located in Wynyard Quarter, Te Nukuao (shelter), draws inspiration from the last remaining customary Māori sail, Te Rā, to reference the journeys, waka and people from past and present connected to this area.
Designed by artist Tessa Harris (Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki), this artwork connects Aucklanders to the city’s rich ancestral maritime history.
6. Papatūānuku, 2021 – Celebrating the Earth Mother
Papatūānuku (Mother Earth), a vibrant contemporary-art glass installation, reflects the ever-changing colours of the seasons as guided by the Maramataka (Māori lunar calendar).
7. Te Maharatanga o Ngā Wai, 2021 – A Tribute to Māui and the Waters
Te Maharatanga o Ngā Wai (remembering our waters) is a homage to the stream that once flowed through this site before the colonial settlement of Auckland. This 6.4-metre carved pou (post) commemorates the Māori demigod Māui, whose stories are central to Māori narratives.
8. Whakaako Kia Whakaora / Educate to Liberate, 2021 – Honouring the Polynesian Panthers
This mural honours the historical significance of the Polynesian Panthers in Auckland. With powerful references to social justice, it connects the local struggle for equality with the broader movement for civil rights, reflecting on the ongoing fight for Māori and Pacific rights and freedoms alike.
9. Tūrama, Kaitiaki, 2022 – Celebrating Light, Guardians and Matariki
Tūrama (light), the hugely popular series of six large-scale illuminated art installations lights up Queen Street to celebrate Matariki (the Māori new year).
Tūrama was created by Graham Tipene (Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, Ngāti Kahu, Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Haua, Ngāti Manu), Ataahua Papa (Ngāti Koroki Kahukura, Ngāti Mahuta), Phil Wihongi (Ngāti Hine) and Angus Muir Design.
10. Te Mata Topaki, 2020 – A Sculptural Pier Connecting People to Waitematā
Te Mata Topaki (to hover over the headland) is a striking, award-winning 30-meter sculptural pier designed by Graham Tipene (Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei) that juts out into the Waitematā Harbour. Inspired by the taurapa (stern of a waka) lying on its side, mata – both obsidian and a tip or headland; and topaki – to hover like a bird, this lookout connects both key destinations and people to the water.
For the online walking guide & more information of Te Paparahi Toi Māori, visit ArtNow.
For a physical guide email barbara.holloway@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz or pick up at any of the sites below:
- Auckland Art Gallery, Wellesley Street East
- Central City Library, 44-46 Lorne Street
- Ellen Melville Centre, 2 Freyberg Place
- Auckland Council office foyer, 135 Albert Street
- Te Wharekura, 117 Quay Street
- isite Visitor Information Centre, HSBC Building Shop 1 Level 3/188 Quay Street