Engagement Program 2023

This year’s engagement story is: Te ara o nga uri o Kahu

TE ARA O NGA URI O KAHU – ARTIST: CREATURE POST
INSTALLATION PARTNER – GO MEDIA

Te Ara o Nga uri o Kahu
The pathway of the descendants of Kahu

This device-free augmented reality experience involves a live-view camera that brings to life the story of the journeys early Māori took from Kaipara to Takapuna. The pathways created by different iwi with association to this whenua were used to safely hikoi (travel) from coast to coast. ‘Runners’ would use these ridgeline pathways to scout for danger in their quest to claim seasonal fishing rights along these shores.

A sizable midden (archaeological site) was discovered around 2000 on the corner of Lake Road and Esmond Road, which is a cultural indicator of these historical events. This interactive and educational piece honors our tupuna (ancestors) who used these strategic and traditional ara (pathways).

The extended reality work allows the current-day audience to share space and time with representations of warrior runners.

This artwork was inspired by historical recollections generously shared by Matua William Kapea

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