In 2009, after two years of dedicated work by the Ranui-Massey community Te Herenga Tangata was unveiled.
The imposing 4.75 metre sculpture stands in Urlich Reserve in Ranui and incorporates traditional designs and motifs of the local Maori, Croatian and Pacific Island communities.
Te Herenga Tangata fittingly means ‘Unity of Nations’.
The Project Twin Streams team worked together with community groups and six practicing artists. These included representatives from:
The sculpture consists of 3 sections, each with its own significance and meaning:
1 – A concrete base with a band of mosaic tiles referencing traditional Maori designs, created by students from Te Piataata Trust and Birdwood Primary School
2 – Mosaics made by the Croatian community, Liston College and The Agape Trust. These panels represent the growth of plant life in the area, with alternate segments representing Maori eel traps.
3 – A kererū made out of concrete and mosaic tiles, surrounded by stainless steel leaf designs that can be interpreted in a variety of ways: as a Pacific flower, a waka paddle or planting spade. This section plays homage to the local Pacific culture and was designed and constructed by Engineering Industry Training students.
The identity marker stands proud as a signifier of the strength of the Ranui-Massey community and the strong bonds formed through their involvement with Project Twin Streams.