Waipā Public Art
Indoor
Waiwaia
Dr Pakariki Harrison
Artwork details
Description
This whakairo carving depicts the taniwha Waiwaia who is known as the guardian of the waterways within the Waipā catchment as its home. “Waiwaia paenga tau – Waiwaia of many resting places”
It was commissioned by Dr Rongo Wetere and gifted by Te Wānanga o Aotearoa to the people of the Waipā District.
This artwork sits between two tukutuku hand woven panels, each supporting the others kaupapa vision.
Dr Pakariki Harrison (1928-2008) was regarded as one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s greatest carvers. In the 1980s Pakariki lectured at the University of Auckland and was conferred an Honorary Doctorate of Literature in 1991. In 1997, he received a Te Waka Toi Award in recognition for his lifetime achievements.
Dr Harrison has shown his work in exhibitions nationally and overseas in Italy Japan, France, USA and Australia.