Te Pā Tuna o Ruahine by Ephraim Russell, 2025

'Te Pā Tuna o Ruahine is a geometric light sculpture that pays tribute to the legacy of mahinga kai within Ruahine Pā, an ancestral site where horticulture and tuna aquaculture sustained generations.

Constructed from stainless steel and illuminated by a tube light LED system, this work captures both the form and movement of traditional pā tuna, guiding the viewer through an immersive interplay of light and space.

During times of flooding and in the autumn season of tuna heke, when eels embark on their long migration, pā tuna were cleverly designed to catch and manage tuna stocks.

The spatial layout of this sculpture reflects that rhythm, fluid, curving lines of the path symbolise the movement of the tuna, while the fence-line structures evoke the walls of the pā tuna, channelling the journey towards the flowing awa and lagoon.

This piece also acknowledges the vital role of Rangitāne hapū, Ngāti Rangi Aranaki and Ngāti Te Mihi in the stewardship of freshwater resources.

Tuna from the awa were often transported to replenish inland lagoons, reinforcing Rangitāne expertise in aquaculture and sustainable food systems." - Ephraim Russell

Source & Photo Credits: Ephraim Russell and PNCC