It’s on in our city centre!

As the sun rose over Tauranga Harbour this morning, a new waharoa in Masonic Park was blessed by mana whenua, marking a significant moment in the continued transformation of the city.

Located on The Strand side of the park, the waharoa establishes a cultural gateway between Te Awanui Tauranga Harbour and Te Manawataki o Te Papa, creating a defined point of transition between the waterfront and the new civic precinct.

Developed in partnership with Otamataha Trust and Te Kahui Toi Artist Collective, the waharoa incorporates two pou representing the two sons of Kinonui, Kinoteraia and Kinomoerua, tohunga or spiritual guides, known for their wisdom and their connection to the stories and landscapes of Tauranga Moana.

Otamataha Trust Chair Puhirake Ihaka says the waharoa carries those stories forward.

“This anchors a key route through the city, one that connects land and water, past and present, and the people moving through it.

“Grounded in the stories of this place, this cultural gateway contributes to a space where our shared journey is acknowledged, and where people are welcome to be part of it.

“It’s been a long journey, but being here today I am heartened by this renewed relationship and genuine partnership between the Otamataha Trust and Council.”

The central koruru (face) is another eponymous ancestor, Te Ruru - an ancestor of Kinomoerua, and is formed from three layers of laser-cut steel. It is supported by strengthened glass, with cultural design artwork laminated into the glass panels. This approach protects the design from environmental exposure, including prolonged direct sunlight.

The vibrant colour palette represents the horizon, rising from the dark, reaching full height at midday, and once again descending into the depth of night. Backlit perspex panels attached to the pou enable the pattern to be illuminated at night while concealing the internal structural framing.

The waharoa is part of the wider Masonic Park redevelopment which forms part of Te Manawataki o Te Papa. Future improvements in the area, including a new railway crossing, will further strengthen the connection between the waterfront and the city.

Its installation comes as anticipation and excitement grow ahead of the opening of the new Library and Community Hub on 15 October, the first new building to open its doors on the Te Manawataki o Te Papa site. 

These changes are reshaping our city and how people move through it, with the waharoa standing as both a marker of arrival and a reminder of the connections that continue to define the city.