Commissioned by Ōtākaro Limited and produced by SCAPE Public Art in collaboration with Matapopore, Te Aika (‘the home people’) has been designed by artists Rachael Rakena and Simon Kaan and will be central to formal cultural ceremonies to be welcomed into the venue through the entranceway.   ‘The ngutu design is based on the whare of Aperehama Te Aika which was located at Kaiapoi near where the former Kaiapoi Woollen Mills site is today and sketched by Charles Haubroe in 1855,’says Matapopore Trustee, Lynne-Harata Te Aika.

Rachael Rakena says the commission was very much a collaboration with Ngāi Tūāhuriri and their aspirations. ‘It was important for us as artists to ensure that the outcome reflected their mana and whakapapa of place.’  Fellow-artist Simon Kaan acknowledged that it was’ a privilege to work on such a prominent public artwork for Ōtautahi, which we hope Ngāi Tahu whānui and the public of Aotearoa can embrace.’   Te Aika is likely to be installed mid-year.

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1. Rachael Rakena & Simon Kaan, Te Aika, 2021 commissioned by Ōtākaro Limited, produced by SCAPE Public Art in collaboration with Matapopore.