Ngatoroirangi Mine Bay Maori Rock Carvings, Lake Taupo. New Zealand.
S 38° 44.050 E 176° 00.410
60H E 413677 N 5712254
Master carver Matahi Whakataka-Brightwell carved Ngatoroirangi, his first ever rock carving, onto the cliff face at the southern end of Mine Bay, Lake Taupo.
Waymark Code: WM61FA
Location: North Island, New Zealand
Date Posted: 03/16/2009
Views: 7
These contemporary rock carvings, carved in the late 1970s, are a public Maori art work on a grand scale. They were carved by Greg Whakataka Brightwell and Jono Randall, both of Ngati Tuwharetoa descent and a number of friends between 1978 and 1980.
On a boat trip around the Western Bays he saw the cliffs at Mine Bay and recognised the opportunity to use them as a canvas for his work. Matahi decided to carve a likeness of Ngatoroirangi, a visionary Maori navigator who guided the Tuwharetoa and Te Arawa tribes to the Taupo area over a thousand years ago. In recognition of the cross-cultural nature of New Zealand, Matahi also carved two smaller figures of Celtic design, which depict the south wind and a mermaid.
The main carving is over 10 metres high and took four summers to complete. The artwork is Matahi's gift to Taupo. He and four assistants took no payment other than small change donations from local bar patrons to cover the cost of the scaffolding.
The carving has become an important cultural attraction for the region and a clear demonstration that traditional Maori knowledge and skills continue to be passed from generation to generation.
The Ngatoroirangi Mine Bay Maori rock carvings are accessible by boat only, and can be reached by taking a scenic cruise, sailing boat or kayaking trip from Taupo Boat Harbour.
Your impression of the sculpture?: 
Website for sculpture?: [Web Link]
Where is this sculpture?:
Rock face at Mine Bay.
Lake Taupo., North Island. New Zealand.
Sculptors Name: Matahi Whakataka-Brightwell
Date Sculpture was opened for vewing?: Not listed
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