The design of Whetū Mārama Waka represents a variation in style from the more conventional playground systems typically found in public spaces.
As lead artist, my role was to develop a sculptural and culturally grounded approach that embeds mātauranga Māori and local narratives into the physical structure of the playground. Rather than replicating standard play equipment, the project seeks to create a place-specific artwork that invites exploration, imagination, and connection to the stories of Te Aro and the Wellington waterfront.
The concept draws upon the traditions of Māori voyaging and celestial navigation. Whetū Mārama, meaning “Bright Star”, references the stars that guided our tūpuna across Moana Nui a Kiwa to Aotearoa and eventually to Te Whanganui-a-Tara. The waka form represents both the vessels that carried our ancestors and the knowledge systems that enabled these journeys.
In collaboration with Makers Fabrication and the wider design team, the challenge was to translate these cultural ideas into a robust sculptural play structure that could withstand the demanding conditions of a coastal public environment while remaining true to the integrity of the narrative.
The form of Whetū Mārama is conceived as a waka emerging from the water, symbolising the arrival of knowledge and the continuation of voyaging traditions. The sculptural language draws from customary Māori arts including whakairo and raranga, while embracing contemporary fabrication techniques to create a structure that is both culturally grounded and architecturally expressive.
Timber was central to achieving this outcome. The use of Tonka, Tōtara, and engineered Prolam (Pinus radiata) allowed the project to balance durability, structural strength, and aesthetic warmth within an exposed marine environment. Tonka was selected for its exceptional hardness and resistance to wear in high-contact areas, ensuring longevity within an interactive playground setting. Tōtara was chosen for its cultural significance and natural durability, reflecting longstanding Māori relationships with timber in waka building and carving traditions. Structural components were realised using engineered timber, providing the strength and dimensional stability required to achieve the sweeping waka form while maintaining efficiency in construction.
Collaborating with Makers Fabrication was critical in realising the project. Their expertise in fabrication and structural resolution enabled the concept to be translated into a buildable and durable structure. Together, we explored how timber could work in combination with contemporary engineering methods, allowing the waka to retain the organic presence of a traditional material while meeting modern safety and performance requirements.
In the context of the Wellington waterfront, the use of timber allows the structure to sit naturally within its environment. The warmth, grain, and tactility of the materials soften the surrounding built landscape and invite interaction, creating a play structure that feels both sculptural and welcoming.
Whetū Mārama Waka is intended as a vessel of learning and imagination. Through this collaborative process between artist, fabricators, engineers, and community, the work brings together cultural narrative, material knowledge, and contemporary design to create a space where tamariki can connect with the stories of place while looking toward the future.
