'Home Land See' - Love Your Maunga - Maungauika

As the government & councils of Aotearoa become more aware of the importance of acknowledging historical occupation, woven within some of those important progressions is the claiming back of space.

Known for most lifetimes as North Head, Maungauika has sat proudly at the entrance of the harbour watching over the moana & those who come near. Tribal connection to this maunga (mountain) are deep & layered, for over a century that ability to occupy this space & to engage it in a way that is culturally significant has been lost until recently. Under the guidance of the Tūpuna Maunga Authority we had the privilege of creating a piece of work on the water tank that sits right at the tihi (summit) as a beacon & reminder of indigenous & natural connection.

The Kuaka (Godwit) has the longest non stop flight path of any other bird on this planet. It is a special realisation that Māori followed, acknowledged & studies their flight paths knowing that they lead to places of abundant kai (food) & okioki (rest). The image of this manu flying through realms of time time & space towards a great harvest wrap the 12m circumference. Painted over 4 days including a Prada Cup race day where the AC36 boats raced quickly below, 'Home Land See' sat watching over this space. Mana whenua presence, a collective response as an event named 'Love Your Maunga' was about reclaiming the mana of this mountain back from the more recent military/naval history & presence.

Thank you to Amiria Puia Taylor & Paris Kirby for including us in this kaupapa & for trusting us with such an important task. Phase 2 is in place and ready to be activated alongside a large range of other art installations from different creatives & during the weekend festival activities in mid March.