Project Overview
Location
Te Awamutu Museum
Date Completed
November 2025
Services
Cut. Form. Build.
Installation
Engineering Support
Public art helps anchor stories to place. Puna Whakareia, now installed at the Te Awamutu Museum, brings cultural design and stainless-steel craftsmanship together in a clear, grounded way.
About the Artwork
Created by artist Henriata Nicholas, the public art piece stands over 4 metres high and is formed from precisely finished stainless steel. Its name joins two ideas: puna, highlights a shared well of knowledge, and whakareia, excellence in craft and service. Cultural leaders Dr Tom Roa and Shane Te Ruki blessed the work, guiding its alignment with tikanga and local heritage.
Design and Meaning
The artwork draws from tāniko weaving patterns:
- The background layer represents kaitiakitanga and responsibility to the whenua.
- The central diamond pattern reflects Waipā landforms.
- Tapatoru (triangles) express the many forms of wai: rivers, lakes, water rising from Papatūānuku and falling from Ranginui.
Together, these elements speak to mana whenua’s connection to the land and its waterways.
Engineering and Artisanship
The structure uses 3mm stainless-steel panels, standing 4.38m high and 3.22m wide. Waterjet cutting captured the detail of the patterns, while brushed and bead-blasted finishes created depth and contrast.
Our team worked closely with the artist throughout, assembling the piece on site at 4 a.m. to minimize disruption.
A New Feature for Te Awamutu
Puna Whakareia reflects strong collaboration between the artist, mana whenua, cultural advisors, and Longveld. It pairs traditional Māori design principles with contemporary engineering to create a distinctive landmark for the community.
See it in Person
Visitors can view Puna Whakareia at the Te Awamutu Museum and experience the detail, meaning, and craftsmanship behind the work.
