Tuia Te Tangata by Warren Warbrick (Rangitāne), 2025

"As the new Te Ahu a Turanga highway links two regions, part of the project also links the people and history.

Tohunga Toi Warren Warbrick (Rangitāne) created three of the five artworks along the Te Ahu a Turanga Manawatū-Tararua Highway.

"As the new Te Ahu a Turanga highway links two regions, part of the project also links the people and history.

The Tuia Te Tangata work at the western lookout symbolised two heru, or combs.

Warbrick said this recognised the maunga and the relationship and shared history between Rangitāne and Ngāti Kauwhata.

Its design related to the use of fibres in art and its pattern came from tukutuku panels commonly seen in marae.

“The reason why I wanted to use heru as a symbol was because they were worn by people and they were placed in the head, and the head is a very tapu, sacred part of the body. So when I’m talking about Rangitāne and also the relationship to Ngāti Kauwhata, it is about weaving these ones together.” - Warren Warbrick

Tuia meant to bind or weave things together and tangata was people.

Sources & image credits: The Post | The art that weaves links along the Manawatū-Tararua highway, RNZ | Groundbreaking stroytelling with a sculpture park you can drive through and Facebook - Toi Warbrick