Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, Britomart and Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland Council are pleased to present Tūhono - an immersive ara toi (art trail) celebrating Matariki through light, storytelling and contemporary Māori design.
Meaning “to tie together”, Tūhono connects to existing light works Tūrama (located on Queen Street) and Taurima (Elliott Street) to form a 2km indigenous, immersive light trail.
Stretching from Te Kōmititanga at the mouth of the Waihorotiu Valley, through Britomart and along the downtown waterfront into Te Tōangaroa, the first tangata whenua urban precinct, Tūhono connects a series of significant city spaces through light, sound and visual narrative.
Created by a collective of young Ngāti Whātua ringa toi (artists) - Arama Tamariki-Enua, Caine Taihia, Uira Nahi and Maraea Shaw in collaboration with Angus Muir Designs - the trail draws inspiration from the symbolism and journeys of waka and explores ideas of movement, gathering and history across generations.
Together, these works form Tūhono - the world’s longest indigenous art trail.
The trail is designed as a journey following the line of the Waihorotiu Valley and the downtown waterfront, linking key sites of cultural significance and contemporary Māori art across Tāmaki Makaurau.
Beginning at Te Komititanga, at the base of the Waihorotiu Valley, before moving east through Britomart, across Takutai Square, and along Beach Road, into Te Tōangaroa, where the journey concludes at Māhuhu ki te Rangi Park.
The journey begins at Te Komititanga with Tauihu, a sculptural light work by Arama Tamariki-Enua.
This work sets the tone for the trail reflecting movement, direction and the guiding force of waka. It speaks to the Waihorotiu Valley as a historic pathway of flow and connection, anchoring the narrative at the base of the city’s original waterway.
Lightboxes are peppered along the trail featuring mahi toi from Maraea Shaw. Drawing inspiration from the Waitematā, the designs speak to the movement of waka across water, carrying the stories of the tangata whenua, whakapapa and knowledge across generations, through shifting ripples and flow.
Outside the Waitematā Station Plaza, Skylid, designed by renowned artist Graham Tipene (Ngāti Whātua, Ngāti Hine) carries a sand-blasted design that speaks to the movement of converging waters specifically the Waihorotiu and Waitematā. Skylid comes alive with light to enhance the intricate line work of the 31-tonne structure.
Moving through Britomart, visitors encounter a further 3.7m tall, 7.7m wide light installation by Arama Tamariki-Enua, Mangōpare.
The Mangōpare, or hammerhead shark, represents resilience, strength and determination. Referencing the saying “Kaua e mate wheke, mate ururoa” “Do not die like an octopus, die like a hammerhead shark”.
The work speaks to endurance, courage and the importance of holding strong in the face of challenge, acknowledging the legacy of tūpuna who stood firmly against injustice and honours the pathways they created for future generations.
This work continues the visual language established at Te Komititanga, extending patterns inspired by tukutuku and whakairo traditions, and building the narrative thread of Tūhono as it moves toward Te Tōangaroa.
Continuing to the cusp of Te Tōangaroa and Britomart at Beach Road and Britomart Place, is Waka Maumahara by Caine Taihia.
The 9m tall work embodies remembrance through a symbolic waka carrying the depth of history from Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei that comes with keeping the fires burning in Tāmaki.
Along Beach Road, Kupenga Rau by Uira Nahi unfolds as a contemporary sculptural waka narrative.
Comprising six interconnected sculptural elements, Kupenga Rau explores navigation and sustenance.
Drawing on Ngāti Whātua narratives and wider Moana connections, Kupenga Rau reflects the relationship between people, atua and the ocean.
The trail concludes at Mahuhu ki te Rangi Park with Taurapa and Te Mātahi o te Tau.
Taurapa, a large-scale sculptural work by Arama Tamariki-Enua, explores contemporary waka forms through a 9m industrial, forward-facing design language that reflects growth, transformation and possibility. Angular sculptural elements reference traditional carving processes, while integrated lighting sequences move through ribbed forms and carved detailing. Takarangi and niho taniwha references anchor the work within whakapapa, while its overall form reflects movement and future direction.
Luminous installation, Te Mātahi o te Tau, designed by Extended Whānau, references tukutuku patterns and the night sky, weaving light into the form of Matariki. The work journeys through Te Iwa o Matariki (the nine stars of Matariki) through shifting colour, rhythm and movement, creating a gathering space for reflection and connection.