Members of Manurewa Local Board, local iwi, Manurewa Business Association representatives, Auckland Council staff and contractors and locals gathered earlier this month to officially mark the installation of a new piece of art at Manurewa Train Station.
The artwork, which lines the covered walkway leading from Southmall to the public transport interchange, has been a collaboration between Auckland Council, Auckland Transport, Manurewa Business Association, Manurewa Local Board and Ngati Tamaoho and Ngati Te Ata. It was completed by Maaka Potini and Alexandra Newman, artists from the two local iwi.
Artwork tells a story
During the blessing ceremony, Manurewa Local Board deputy chair Stella Cattle thanked local iwi for taking the opportunity to share their heritage and to put it into art for everyone to enjoy.
“The artwork tells the story of how Manurewa got its name and as such it celebrates the whakapapa of our area as well as the wealth of artistic talent we are fortunate to have.”
The artworks depict the story of two brothers, Tamapahure and Tamapahore, who held a kite flying competition. During the competition the best kite was seen soaring over the area now known as Manurewa – and the area was given the name ‘Te Manu Rewa o Tama Pahore’ – meaning 'the drifted away kite of Tama Pahore'.
Local board's extensive investment programme
Deputy chair Cattle also reiterated how the artwork was one of many significant improvements funded by the local board to help revitalise the Manurewa Town Centre and the public transport infrastructure in the area.
Manurewa Town Centre manager Neil Punja says the artwork symbolises the continual improvement of the town centre.
“This canopy and artwork not only tells the story of Manurewa but it makes a story. It has made one of the key gateways of our town centre, attractive, safe and meaningful and for that, I would like to say thanks again for the value it has added to our town centre.”
