Mataoho Wall

Papatūānuku / Earth

"Initially the brief felt quite restrictive; the landscape architects (Sills van Bohemen Architects Ltd) had created an elegant design that made great use of a narrow space but it wasn't clear how I could contribute.

I felt it needed a spirit, something that grounded the park in Tāmaki Makaurau and connected the dominant visible landscape features of Rangitoto and Lake Pupuke.

The story of the local god of volcanoes, Mataoho, gave a logic to the relationship between the two and became an enduring theme for the park. In this way also, a local legend is captured and esteemed.

I would like to acknowledge Stephen Woodward, Italian Stone and Sills van Bohemen Architects Ltd." (Brett Graham)