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Te Whiringa o Manoko (The interweaving of the cultures of Kerikeri)
1978 - 2009, Kerikeri, NZ.. Named by the hapu of Ngati Rehia.
Originally conceived in 1978 and then short listed for the Auckland
Aotea Square Water Sculpture competition in 1979, this sculpture
has ever since been promoted to be sited in a public place in
Kerikeri. Boulder columns were developed in Kerikeri from the
early seventies and it was not until 1986 that any were realised
to full scale (‘Entranceway’, Paihia; ‘Gateway’,
Auckland; ‘Rainbow Warrior Memorial’, Matauri Bay) and
since then they have been created all over the world. Therefore
this water sculpture design precedes all other realised designs.
The columns were inspired by having been raised in Kerikeri, playing
in the Kerikeri boulder strewn river and amongst the very tall
columnar like gum trees, plus the giant Kauri trees of Puketi
Forest. The volcanic boulders excavated from the very ground of
Kerikeri symbolise the excellent draining volcanic soil used by
horticulturists for at least 800 years. The shell forms derive
from shells found in the forest (pupurangi - kauri snail) and
shells found in the bay. Settlers, both Maori and Pakeha in Kerikeri,
traditionally used the waterways for communication. Kororipo,
the Stone Store Basin was the door to communicate with nearby
or distant destinations. For residents today who grew up here,
Kororipo, the Stone Store Basin means the same. Therefore there
is a tie with the forest to the sea.
The earliest settled interweaving of Maori and Pakeha cultures
in New Zealand began here in Kerikeri, right where I was brought
up and still live.
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