This sculpture soars above Mission Bay as a kaitiaki (guardian) of the site, while also referencing New Zealand aviation history. As if in flight, the bird's intricately constructed body seems to possess a powerful strength, with a dramatic wingspan that stretches to six metres.

Fred Graham used titanium rods and stainless steel wire to craft this artwork, which is suspended six metres above the ground. *Manurewa* means flying bird and was also the name of the Walsh Brothers' homemade plane, which made the first successful powered flight in New Zealand in 1911.

Birds are a recurring theme in Graham’s work, due to their importance in the natural world and within Māori mythology, where they serve as a rich source of metaphor and storytelling. *Manurewa* was commissioned in 2007 and is located at Selwyn Reserve in Mission Bay.

Manurewa

Designed by architect George Tole and created by sculptor Richard Gross, this iconic fountain in Selwyn Domain is a memorial to Trevor Moss Davis, gifted to the city of Auckland by his parents, Eliot and Stella Davis.  Trevor Davis was a director of the firm Hancock and Company and was president of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce in the 1940s. He was also the nephew of late Auckland Mayor, Sir Ernest Davis (1935 to 1941).

The illuminated fountain is a monumental delight, it is constructed of Sicilian marble with a fluted pedestal surrounded by three bronze sea monster statues that spout water from their mouths. The pool beneath is decorated with thousands of turquoise-coloured tiles.  The fountain features a beautiful light display in the evenings. The very first light show on 26 January 1950 was switched on by the Governor-General, Sir Bernard Freyberg and drew crowds of people.

Trevor Moss Davis Memorial Fountain

These pebble mosaic artworks, installed at the base of the Bastion Point steps, light up in the evening creating a friendly community space. The warm lights help locals walking through the pathway and see the colour and texture of the works. The steps are an entrance to Takaparawhau / Bastion Point, an important site; the land holds deep spiritual and cultural significance.

The title, *He Turanga Hou - A new place of reflection*, recognises the site's significance. Each medallion symbolises different cultural values.  'Air' represents Mission Bay's Walsh brother's flight school. 'Sea' talks about the sailing history. 'Land' depicts a tūī and Kowhai flowers representing the coastal forest. 'Place' has the iconic Mission Bay fountain representing the local community.

This work was commissioned by Auckland Council to increase visibility, safety, and accessibility to the walking entrance of Bastion Point.

He Turanga Hou - A new place of reflection

To celebrate the millennium and to connect Mission Bay’s foreshore and the footpath, a pedestrian footbridge was commissioned by the Eastern Bays Community Board at the turn of the century – it is also part of the Tāmaki Drive Coastal Path.

Renowned Auckland sculptor Virginia King worked with architect Chris Thom to create a structure that was visually interesting, fitting for the coastal environment, and also practical.

Known as *Aramarama* (pathway of the moon), the pedestrian footbridge is part-urban design, part-artwork. The shape of a waka (canoe) prow can be seen in the steel rods of the bridge, acknowledging the nearby sea and Ngāti Whātua. The curving line of the rods also references the roots of the pōhutukawa tree and the outline of Rangitoto Island, as seen from Mission Bay. Each piece of steel has an irregular look and feel, making it seem more organic, which is a common feature of King’s large-scale environmental sculptures.

Fred Graham

Manurewa

"As if in flight and with a wingspan of six metres, this majestic sculpture soars above Mission Bay."

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