Encounter by Judd Bailey and Mark Southcombe, 2010

Encounter represents the meeting of two peoples. The figure on the right, closest to Pūtiki, represents the Pūtiki Māori and features the takarangi spiral motif in perforated metal. The figure on the left represents the Manuhiri (visitors) and features the Whanganui city grid which was introduced by the European settlers. The black plinth is black sanded concrete containing shell from local beaches. In addition to representing a greeting to Whanganui, the sculpture also acknowledges the historic significance of Pūtiki as a meeting place of cultures.