Te Pupuri tuu Puke | Ted Ngataki (Ngāti Tamaoho)

The Work

A powerful kōwhatu (volcanic stone) carving that anchors the entrance to Te Ahoterangi Rise. A cluster of kōwhatu has been transformed into a sculptural expression of the site’s volcanic and cultural whakapapa.

The composition features three central stones, their carving and form acknowledging the lava flows from the nearby volcanic fields of Te Aponga o Tainui (McLennan Hills) and their historic movement into this once-wetland landscape.

Intricate carved designs capture the movement and character of the lava flows that once shaped this landscape. Patterns referencing hai hai pakati (split or flowing markings) and hau wai (forms associated with breath and vitality) reflect the cultural and geological narratives embedded in the whenua. Uncarved kōwhatu surrounding the carved forms further reinforce the ancient volcanic origins of the site.

Location:

At the corner of Te Ahoterangi Rise and Carbine Road