Friday, November 15, 2024

Wellington pavement etchings honour what lies beneath

Wellington City Council is honouring the once burbling streams that lie buried beneath the pavement on Thorndon Quay, with beautiful etchings surfacing for pedestrians.

In pre-European times, there were six awa (streams) flowing into the harbour along Thorndon Quay and Hutt Road. These awa are still there but are mostly hidden in culverts and pipes, the Council says.

As part of its upgrades to Thorndon Quay, Council is marking their locations with designs created by Taranaki Whānui cultural expression artist, Len Hetet’s design studio, Baked Design.

The designs are etched using a vapour blaster that takes off the top layer of concrete, leaving a darker pattern in relief. They are then sealed for longevity and will stand out the most just after rainfall.  

People walking along Thorndon Quay.

The first etchings are on show now opposite Pipitea Marae and Function Centre and mark the awa there. An information sign will be added when all of the Thorndon Quay works are completed in June next year.

The two crossed Hono/Hiki at the entrance to the marae signify a central bind, connecting people to the space and place. The layered triangular shapes in this area reference the kāinga, whare and whānau of Pipitea Pā.

Markings on the ground.

The arrow shapes pointing to the marae entrance from either side signify kōkiri or movement forward. They build intensity to the central designs outside the marae entrance., the Council says.

“There are several other awa underneath Thorndon Quay, and we will reveal these as our construction progresses,” Council said in a statement.

The upgrades to Thorndon Quay include a two-way cycle lane on the eastern side, peak hour bus lanes in both directions, signalised on-demand crossings for pedestrians and beautiful planting and seating.

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