The artwork on the roads in the Wairaka community tell the stories of the historic landmarks you see around you.

Designed by local artist Samuel Kora, the artwork draws inspiration from traditional weaving techniques to convey the rich history of the land and its people.

Jump to a story: Kapū-te-rangi | Te ana o Muriwai | Te Rae o Kōhī | Matirerau | Moutohorā and Whakaari

 Kapū-te-rangi

This design reflects the rocky cliff face of Kapū-te-rangi, behind Wairaka Road and Toroa Street.

Kapū-te-rangi Pā was the home of Toitehuatahi, recognised as the principal ancestor of Ngāti Awa.

Kapū-te-rangi is of major historical significance and is part of the Kōhī Point Scenic Reserve from where you can look at over Mount Tarawera, Pūtauaki, Moutohorā and Whakaari.

The yellow triangles with grey trim represent the rocky cliffs of Kapū-te-rangi and the black down-facing triangle with yellow trim signifies the setting of the sun and the approaching night.

Tūī often fly along the fringes of Kapū-te-rangi.

 Te ana o Muriwai

This design is an interpretation of Te ana o Muriwai (the cave of Muriwai). Her father Irakewa gifted the cave so Muriwai could live in isolation from the immediate iwi because of her tohunga status.

This concept was inspired by the traditional weaving technique known as Tāniko focussing on a repetition of triangles. The triangles represent Te ana o Muriwai, Kapū-te-rangi (mountain) and Ōhinemataroa (river), which are scared landmarks of the Mataatua tribe.

The red triangles represent the Pōhutukawa blooms growing on the cliff peaks above the cave, bonding together the rocky peaks of Kapū-te-rangi.

The black triangle represents the cave, and the yellow and red triangles represent fire bringing light to the darkness.

The blue row of arrows symbolises the incoming tide of Ōhinemataroa, which used to cut off access to the cave, isolating Muriwai.

The huia is an extinct species which used to live in this area, known to have had a unique and distinctive call.

 Te Rae o Kōhī

This image is inspired by the rocky cliffs of Te Rae o Kōhī (Kōhī Point) on the edge of Ngā Tapuwae o Toi (The Footsteps of Toi) and his stronghold Kapū-te-rangi (Pā of Gentle Breeze).

Te Rae o Kōhī is known for its beautiful scenic walk that includes pā sites of major historical significance, native forest, and an abundance of native species.

Ngā Tapuwae o Toi traverses the heart of what was the dominion of the great chieftain Toi. His stronghold, Kapū-te-rangi, is one of the oldest known pā sites in Aotearoa.

The white triangles represent the teeth and jaws of the shark, and the red trim acknowledges the ground track around the bays.

The grey zigzag imitates the rocky cliffs of Te Rae o Kōhī and the black and red trim reflects the upper track that connects Kōhī to Kapū-te-rangi.

Toroa is said to have been aided by a tīeke, a land and ocean bird, during his journey to Aotearoa.

 Matirerau

This artwork reflects the kūmara patch of Wairaka known as Matirerau. This sustainable garden is considered to be where the first kūmara was planted in Aotearoa.

Inspired by a traditional weaving technique known as Tāniko, this design focuses on significant landmarks of the Ngāti Awa people.

The red represents the kūmara and the green represents Matirerau.

The white staircase is the spiritual realm that connects Papatūānuku to Ranginui.

The kereru is regularly sighted at Kapū-te-rangi.

 Moutohorā and Whakaari

This design is an interpretation of the two majestic oceanic landmarks / islands local to the Ngāti Awa area.

Moutohorā, the home of Taiwhakaea, is on the left of this design and is about 9 kilometres offshore from Whakatāne.

The island is a remnant of a complex volcano, now eroded to two peaks.

Moutohorā is an island sanctuary, home to many native and protected plants and wildlife, including kiwi, tuatara, and blue penguin.

The red and green colours used represent the lush pōhutukawa and other plant life on the island.

Whakaari is shown on the right of this design. Whakaari is an active volcano 48km offshore from Whakatāne. What we see of the island is only the peak of a much larger submarine volcano.

The grey in the design reflects the island’s rocky, volcanic environment and the white Poutama reflect the white clouds of steam ascending to Ranginui.

The blue triangles imitate the ocean and distance between the two islands.