Te kāpehu whetū - Star Compass
Over the past five years, Mauao (Mount Maunganui) has undergone a nearly complete revitalisation, and I’ve been fortunate to contribute to this exciting transformation. The developments have been diverse, ranging from a new logo and brand to updated signage and the revitalisation of key sites, including the weaving platform at Waipatukakahu and the observation deck at Te Awaiti. The crown jewel of this redevelopment is the Star Compass, or kapehu whetu, which was installed at the summit. Designed to represent the traditional kapehu used by Māori to navigate the vast Pacific Ocean, the Star Compass not only honours this ancestral method of wayfinding but also marks important locations around Mauao and the surrounding Bay of Plenty waters.
Client
Tauranga City Council
Year
2019-2024
The Concept
This image represents the traditional Kapehu Whetū, used by the Māori to navigate the Pacific Ocean. The compass directions are divided into distinct "houses," each with its own name. Key stars are listed on the right-hand side, with lines indicating where they are observed in the night sky.
Mastering the use of the Kapehu requires extensive knowledge, passed down through generations. Fortunately, there are those who continue to preserve and share this invaluable traditional wisdom.
Our Kapehu captures much of the key information from the traditional Kapehu Whetu, with a lot of Mauao specific information overlain.
This image indicates many of the locations of cultural significance that have been included.
The very top of the Kapehu features a large piece of rough cut Pounamu. This was piece was donated by Ngai Tahu as a gesture to help renew connections between themselves and the Iwi of the north.
The Pounamu was also combined thematically with a piece of obsidian obtained from Karewa that was buried beneath the Kapehu, eluding to an ancient war.
The Pounamu is sitting on a piece of Volcanic bluestone with bronze arrows pointing inwards. These arrows are perfectly inline with the key locations of significance around Mauao.
The bluestone plinth below that was arrows pointing outwards. These point towards the key islands and mountains around Mauao, many of which feature in the traditional “Caught by the Dawn” story of how Mauao came to be.
Encircling the top plinth is a ring of 3D printed, interlocking elements, which are a modern take on the Takarangi. Representing the void, creation and the universe.
