Cook Islands Artist Leads Design Of Pacific Room Entranceway
Parliament’s Pacific Room, which was formally dedicated at Parliament today, includes a carved entranceway commissioned
by Parliamentary Service in consultation with the Pacific Arts Committee of Creative New Zealand.
Artists from four Pacific nations carved the entranceway, working to an overall design by Cook Islands artist and
Pacific Arts Committee member Ian George. The carvers were Fatu Feu’u (Samoa), Filipe Tohi (Tonga), Ian George (Cook
Islands) and Palalagi Manetoa (Niue).
“The commissioned artwork is a reflection and acceptance of the Pacific as an integral part of New Zealand’s identity,”
Ian George says.
The work’s theme represents the balance between the spiritual and physical in Pacific cultures. It consists of two
carved posts on either side of the entranceway with a carved lintel above it. Totems on each of the posts depict the
movement of people from their home islands to Aotearoa New Zealand. The lintel is painted blue to represent Moana nui
(the Pacific Ocean) while the vaka on the lintel symbolises the voyaging of Pacific peoples to Aotearoa New Zealand
Fatu Feu’u also designed a stained glass window above the lintel with three symbols depicting the central theme of
balance. The work incorporates frangipani (female), windmill (male) and frigate bird (ancestral spirit).
Leading politicians from New Zealand and other Pacific nations and local Pacific leaders attended the dedication of the
Pacific Room. Hosting the event was the Speaker of the House, Rt Hon Jonathan Hunt, who thanked the Pacific Arts
Committee and the artists for their assistance.
“This room symbolises the enormous contribution Pacific peoples have made to New Zealand and the importance Parliament
places on their role in society and in this House,” he said.
The Pacific Room, on the ground floor of Parliament House, is next to Maui Tikitiki a Taranga, the Mäori Affairs Select
Committee Room.
The room showcases Pacific artworks as well as gifts from Pacific nations to Members of Parliament over the years and
now held in the Parliamentary Collection.
Mr Hunt has gifted several Pacific works from the Speaker’s collection and Prime Minister Helen Clark has transferred a
collection of items given to her last year when she attended the Cook Islands’ celebration of 100 years of association
with New Zealand. The gifts include a traditional carved seat, which will be placed outside the meeting room.
ends