Te Tatau Ki Kirikiriroa, 2019, Hamilton

Corten Steel

Victoria on the River

Commissioned by MESH Sculpture Hamilton.

Te Tatau ki Kirikiriroa is a stunning Corten steel portal designed to offer a unique perspective across the Waikato River towards Hamilton East. This artistic installation is more than just a viewing aperture; it serves as a symbolic tomokanga (gateway), inviting visitors to explore the beautiful tiered gardens and intricate walkways that surround it.

Passing through this gateway, the viewer encounters significant Māori patterns that symbolise horticulture, lamentation, and the journey through life. The design also includes the text of a whakataukī (proverb) from Kingi Pōtatau Te Wherowhero, the first Māori King of the Waikato Kingitanga movement, adding deep cultural significance to the experience.

Situated on Victoria on the River in Hamilton, the site offers a vital connection between the central city and the Waikato River, seamlessly blending urban life with natural beauty. Historically, this area was known for its fertile soil, where Māori cultivated extensive gardens. Crops like kūmara, rauruhe (fern root), and taro thrived in the rich, swampy lowlands, earning the site the title of the 'Garden Basket' for Auckland.

Today, this site has been transformed into a public space where people can appreciate the natural landscape while also connecting with Hamilton's popular river path network. The presence of Te Tatau ki Kirikiriroa enriches the space, adding a cultural and historical layer to the visitor experience.