Project Overview
Client
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Fred Graham (Artist)
Location
Hamilton
Date Completed
December 2022
Services
Consultancy
Design
Fabrication
Production
When we were commissioned to bring Fred Graham’s vision of Waka Maumahara to life, we knew we were embarking on a project that would challenge our engineering capabilities while honoring Māori cultural heritage.
Standing at an impressive 16.2 meters tall, this stainless steel masterpiece now graces the Northern Interchange of the Waikato Expressway Hamilton section.
The sculpture’s complex design featured stainless steel sheets covering a lattice-type pipe frame, creating a visually striking representation of the Tainui waka with circling birds. As one of Fred Graham’s tallest works, it required meticulous planning from design to installation.
Installation logistics presented our greatest challenge with this art piece. Transporting and erecting a structure of this size alongside a major highway demanded precision planning and coordination with traffic management crews. We scheduled the installation for a Sunday when traffic volume was lowest, implementing a rolling block system where crews would temporarily block motorways, allowing our team a precise 3-minute window to execute critical installation steps.
Highway installations also required strict compliance with regulations, right down to specific requirements for high-visibility clothing. Every detail mattered in ensuring both worker safety and motorist protection.
This project highlighted the unique approach required when constructing artistic works versus functional structures. Waka Maumahara now stands as both an engineering achievement and a cultural landmark, acknowledging the origin of the Tainui waka and facing the sacred ancestral mountain, Taupiri. The sculpture represents not just Longveld’s technical capabilities, but our commitment to bringing meaningful cultural art to the Waikato landscape.
