Parangarahu Lakes Pou (2025)

Collaborators:

• Artist: Pokau Kato Te Ahuru

• Client: Greater Wellington Regional Council

• Mana Whenua: Te Ātiawa

• Creative Production Partner: Human Dynamo Workshop

The brief

Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC) commissioned a series of pou to mark walking tracks around the Parangarahu Lakes, east of Wellington Harbour. Working alongside artist Pokau Kato Te Ahuru (Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāruahinerangi, Te Āti Awa), the aim was to create sculptural markers that would honour the area’s history, acknowledge the ongoing restoration of the land, and provide a meaningful visual connection for visitors.

Pokau developed patterns informed by whakairo (traditional Māori carving), with the intention that each pou would be carved directly into the timber. This approach allows the pou to exist as unified sculptural forms, with a deep connection to the land on which they stand.

The repeated patterns represent histories and stories passed down through generations, while the intertwined land and water form a korowai (cloak) gifted to the people of Te Awa Kairangi, symbolising protection and unity. 

GWRC engaged Human Dynamo Workshop to help turn these concepts into buildable, durable objects that could withstand the exposed, coastal environment of Parangarahu.

The challenge

Realising the artist’s vision required solving a number of creative, cultural and technical challenges:

• Carving directly into timber at scale

  The artist’s vision centred on carving patterns into the body of the pou themselves, creating a single cohesive object rather than attaching decorative outer elements. Achieving this at scale required a precise and reliable method.

  
  

• Durability in a harsh coastal environment

  The pou is installed on an exposed headland near Baring Head/Ōrua-pouanui, where wind, sun and salt accelerate weathering. Material selection was critical.

  
  

• Respecting cultural integrity

  The carved patterns needed to honour the traditions of whakairo while being interpreted through digital and mechanical processes.

  
  

• Technical and logistical constraints

  The project required accurate CAD modelling, CNC carving capability, the shaping of large timber rounds, and tight coordination leading up to fixed dates for installation.

Process & Approach

Working closely with Pokau and GWRC, we developed a suite of CAD models and production options that explored timber scale, supply, and cost. Together, we settled on greenheart timber – a dense, highly durable hardwood able to withstand decades of exposure in a marine environment.

The raw seasoned logs were shaped into rounds before being mounted onto our CNC machine. Our CNC, with extended clearance and a fourth axis, allowed us to carve directly into the surface of each pou. Throughout carving, Pokau provided hands-on feedback and direction, ensuring that the carved forms stayed true to the expressive curves and motifs of traditional whakairo.

Once carved, we hand-painted colour infills to sharpen contrast. The colours are a nod to the natural environment. A final sanding pass across the uncarved faces created crisp edges. Stainless steel fixings (316 grade) were added to guarantee long-term structural stability in the coastal air.

The pou were then prepared for their installation along the walking tracks around the Parangarahu Lakes. Tight collaboration with GWRC ensured all footings, transport, and installation timelines aligned with the planned blessing date.

Result & Impact

Four carved greenheart pou now mark the walking tracks of the Parangarahu Lakes, standing as sculptural upright forms overlooking one of the region’s most rugged and beautiful coastal landscapes. They reference the whakapapa of the area and honour both the historic Parangarahu Pā site and the extensive restoration work carried out by Te Ātiawa and Greater Wellington Regional Council.

The pou are both cultural markers and wayfinding elements, quietly embedding mātauranga Māori into the land and inviting visitors to connect with its stories. Their design and durability ensure they will weather the coastal environment for decades.

For Human Dynamo Workshop, the pou showcases our ongoing commitment to kaupapa-led projects, where creativity, cultural integrity and technical excellence come together to create works with meaning.

Image credit: Greater Wellington Regional Council