A new treasure for Mārahau
Well-known Mārahau artist Tim Wraight is creating a sculpture for the entire community.
We’re incredibly lucky here in Mārahau to have a world-class sculptor in our midst, and the Mārahau Pledge was honoured to help him create a community sculpture.
The sculpture, designed and crafted by Tim Wraight and commissioned by the Mārahau Sandy Bay Ratepayers and Residents Association, has been seven years in the making, with the Pledge providing the final funding needed to get it across the finish line.
On behalf of the Pledge, Mārahau Environmental Trust committed an initial $5000 to the project in 2023, and in 2024 donated a further $9000 to match funds raised via a Givealittle page.
The work due to be unveiled next to Otūwhero Inlet in early summer, in time to welcome this season’s visitors.
Following initial seed funding of $35,000 from a generous arts patron with a long-standing connection to Mārahau, the community came together to get the $80,000 project over the line.
“We haven’t had to go to the council for funding for our sculpture; we’re a self-sustaining community, and that has been helped by these operators coming together [under the Mārahau Pledge]. It’s just great,” Tim says.
What else is great about Mārahau?
“We are a close community, we all know each other … We don't like to muck up our beautiful place and that’s why it’s a beautiful place. We have a very strong advocacy with things that happen in our community,” Tim says.
The waka-shaped sculpture, named TAIAO, sits more than 5 metres tall. It will be positioned at the junction of Sandy Bay-Mārahau and Otūwhero Valley roads, overlooking the Otūwhero Wetland.
The idea behind the sculpture is to celebrate the spectacular natural environment, make reference to how we got here, and acknowledge how the sea is integral to our existence.
“Another key theme is our commitment as a community to kaitiakitanga [guardianship] of our unique environment,” Tim says, adding that it’s a special piece for the whole community.
“My favourite works to do are the works for everybody, that can never be on-sold. I really like that collective community ownership.”
If you have a project that supports community, biodiversity or conservation outcomes here in Mārahau and would like support, tell us about it here.
