TAIAO unveiled

Mārahau Pledge signatories were honoured to be at the unveiling of a new public artwork by local artist Tim Wraight.

Commissioned by the Mārahau Sandy Bay Ratepayers and Residents Association, TAIAO stands proud at the junction of Sandy Bay-Mārahau and Otūwhero Valley roads, overlooking the Otūwhero Wetland and seamlessly blending into the landscape.

This has been a 100% community effort and is the culmination of many years of hard work behind the scenes working with authorities to secure the site. 

Mārahau Pledge was honoured to make an initial donation of $5000. We then matched a community Givealittle drive and contributed almost double that again to get the funding target over the line.

TAIAO is a beautiful tribute to Mārahau, encompassing all the elements that make up this stunning place - Papatūānuku and Ranginui, the ocean, the mountains and forest, the river, the fish and the birds, and of course, the people who have inhabited Mārahau over centuries.

The unveiling on December 7, 2024, was just magic and represented such a proud moment as mana whenua and residents came together to celebrate this special work - and a very special place.