Whakairo at the Beehive

Parliament, Aotearoa New Zealand 2023

Whakairo at steps to NZ Parliament

An historic event in the history of Aotearoa New Zealand occurred in 2023, with the installation of whakairo in the form of two pou on the grounds of the NZ Parliament and a Tomokanga at the entrance to the Beehive.

The pou were created by members of the Hetet whānau: Len Hetet, Sam Hauwaho and Sonny Davis along with Ben Jolley. They were also responsible for the carving of the entranceway to the Beehive

Pare at the entry to the Beehive, NZ Parliament

These works of art were acknowledged with a dawn ceremony led by local Iwi, Te Atiawa.

Dawn ceremony at the unveiling of the Whakairo - Pou and Pare - at NZ Parliament

Image: Veranoa Hetet

Other whakairo including tukutuku and kowhaiwhai by the Hetet whānau are featured inside the Parliament building: the door to the Māori affairs committee room and various tukutuku and kowhaiwhai inside that were created in installed in 1996.

The former Māori affairs committee room, built in 1922, was also adorned with whakairo.

Click here for the full story of the installation