Te Aro Park

Te Aro Park sculptural park was designed and crafted by Māori ceramicist Shona Rapira Davies, with additional artwork by Māori artist Kura Te Waru-Rewiri. The park marks the site of a major pā and defies expectations of public sculpture. Its creation was an act of cross-cultural collaboration between Council and Māori.

Funding and commission of sculpture

After Council discussions in 1987/88 it was agreed that funds from the Arts Bonus Scheme would be used for the development of a major outdoor artwork. The Council used the Arts Bonus Scheme from 1983-1991 primarily to offer developers concessions on the height of their buildings if they commission a major public artwork as part of the project.

The redevelopment of “Pigeon Park” was chosen to be developed into a functional sculptural space that would encourage public use, and that would sensitively address the cultural and historical nature of the site. Approval for the redevelopment to proceed was given by Wellington City Council and it was commissioned in 1988.

The project was envisioned as the first bicultural public art project, and four Māori artists were asked to submit proposals for the development. These proposals were opened for public comment and submissions at the City Art Gallery's show "Public Art/Bonus Art" in 1988. Further consultation was sought from parties with a historical relationship to the site including representatives from mana whenua and the Methodist Church.

Te Aro Park’s redevelopment was for a time overshadowed by much public debate, revealing the passion that people felt for and against it, typically focussing on public spending and site usability. In the end though, overwhelming public support and general consensus from the consulted groups favoured the concept put forward by ceramic artist Shona Rapira Davies.

Significance of Design

The design is a direct response to the physical and spiritual nature of the site and its historical significance. It is comprised of 30,000 handmade tiles, a series of pools and angular grass spaces. It creates a sculptural art park in an existing central city open place, using natural forms to contrast with the built environment around it.

The symbolism of the park is multi-layered, reflecting the history of the site. The element of water symbolises the life principle of cleansing, blessing and renewing. It flows diagonally across the site and reflects the Te Aro stream and the original shoreline. The horizontal elements of the walls symbolize the female principle and form strong patterns with the origins in weaving. The pools depict female figures, which represent three generations of women. The vertical elements such as the canoe prow symbolize the male principle, with the nine trees representing the oarsman of the canoe.

For more information on Te Aro Pa please click on the external links below. There is also a link to a NZ On Screen documentary made during the creation of the park.