MEDIA RELEASE
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2018
Waka sculpture installation announced for Hamilton’s Ferrybank Reserve
Artist’s impression of Tōia Mai, Hamilton’s new interactive waka sculpture by Wintec Media Arts Honours student Julian
Smith.
The date is set for the installation of Hamilton’s newest public sculpture, Tōia Mai which tells the Matariki story and
symbolises the cultural, spiritual and economic significance of the Waikato River.
Work has begun to install Tōia Mai, a 6.8m tall interactive sculpture, the result of the Matariki Interactive Waka Project led by artist and Wintec tutor
Joe Citizen, before it is gifted to the people of Hamilton on 23 November 2018.
The project which Joe describes as “for the people, by the people” has been developed over the past 18 months. It is the
result of collaborative partnerships between the artist, Wintec Māori Achievement team, Wintec staff and students, local
industries, Hamilton City Council, researchers and mana whenua under the guidance of Wintec kaumātua Tame Pokaia.
“It has been a positive learning experience that has been at times testing and jubilant and I can’t believe we have
finally got to this point” says Joe, now the first sods have been turned on the Ferrybank Reserve site.
This week, Wintec kaumātua Tame Pokaia gave the sculpture its name.
“The name, Tōia Mai refers to a call to action, pulling or working together with a unity of purpose. It highlights the
many skills people bring to this project and will continue to do so, to preserve its longevity,” he says.
Wintec director Māori Hera White says the project has involved a large number of students studying Māori and Pasifika
Trade Training (MPTT), IT, engineering, design and music alongside Joe Citizen, Wintec’s Māori Achievement team and
industry partners.
“This project aligns with Wintec’s focus to encourage our students to be successful, through giving them real world
experiences, cultural support and identity. It has also achieved results by ultilising their skills across a range of
study disciplines,” says Hera.
“The learning for our students doesn’t stop when the sculpture is installed on its river site. Through a continued
online presence and student-created phone apps, it will continue to enable future learning for students and the wider
public alike.”
Striking a balancing between culture, history and technology, Tōia Mai is informed by an Internet of Things network
aligned to the seven stars of Matariki, a taonga puoro informed soundtrack and interactive lighting which will respond
to environmental, seasonal, and lunar changes, as well as people’s movements.
The sculpture is in its final stages of production with project partner, Longveld Ltd, a Hamilton engineering firm where
a number of Wintec’s MPTT students have been mentored and guided.
Joe says that through this project, Longveld staff have encouraged students to develop their understanding of te ao
Māori values, while also providing real-world experience and industry-ready skills.
Mentorship and in-kind support have been provided by project partners Longveld and Hamilton City Council and supporters
ACLX, Aware Group, and Mech Eng Ltd, with additional sponsorship and grants received from the Brain Perry Charitable
Trust, Trust Waikato, WEL Energy Trust, AUT University, DV Bryant Trust, and Creative New Zealand. Further student
mentorship for the taonga puoro informed sound-tracks is provided by renowned Māori music practitioner Horomona Horo.
Tōia Mai will be officially gifted to the people at a public event on the afternoon of Friday 23 November on the
Ferrybank Reserve, Hamilton.
About the sculpture
Tōia Mai is made from corten plate steel and features niho taniwha a Waikato pattern and reference to a proverb
describing the many chiefs and villages along the Waikato River and a taniko pattern taken from the kaitaka or fine
cloak belonging to King Tāwhiao*. While the sculpture has been built using modern materials and technology it was
inspired by the story of Te Winika, the last surviving waka from the 1860’s land wars and what it represents as an icon of cultural and historical
significance for the Waikato river and its people.
*King Tāwhiao was the second Māori King, leader and a religious visionary. He was a member of the Ngāti Mahuta iwi of
Waikato.
ends