Taurarua

'He iti te matakahi, pakaru rikiriki te tōtara

A wedge may be small, but it can fragment the tōtara'

In artist Arekatera Maihi's narrative, the first wedge represents the forward thinking of Ngāti Whātua Ōrakei tupuna, Te Kawau, gifting a parcel of land to Hobson to secure a safe future for his people. The second wedge tells of the disrespect shown by the further sectioning and sales of the same land. One hundred years after Te Kawau gifted 3000 acres of land, his iwi was left with two acres, this is the third wedge. The last wedge represents the rebuilding of his iwi in assets, in commercial ventures and cultural capabilities.

This artwork marks the regional significance of Taurarua Judges Bay as part of the original parcel of land gifted in the formation and colonial settlement of Auckland in 1840. The commission plays an important place-making role for Tāmaki Makaurau in acknowledging the historical boundary of Taurarua Judges Bay in the early formation of the city.