2 July 2026

The sound of conch and pūkaea rang out across the Wellington waterfront on Thursday 25 June to welcome a group of writers, Te Wharewaka o Pōneke Trustees, representatives of local arts and literary organisations and friends and supporters of the Wellington Writers Walk, gathered for the unveiling of the Walk’s newest sculpture and its first in te reo Māori.

Despite the cold and blustery conditions, the blessing ceremony led by Matiu Jennings (Kaihautū Rautaki Māori / Advisor Māori Strategy at Hīkoikoi Management Limited) brought a sense of belonging, celebration and whanaungatanga. Te Karanga O Te Tui Marino (Kaiarataki Kaupapa Taiao / Environmental Liaison Officer at Hīkoikoi Management Limited) read aloud the text of the sculpture: “He Karakia mō Puanga mā Matariki”, composed by Ben Ngaia (Te Āti Awa), and the ceremony finished with a waiata. 

Speeches followed in the welcoming warmth of Whairepo café. Liz Mellish, current Chair of Palmerston North Māori Reserve Trust and Chairman of Te Raukura, Te Wharewaka, related how Ben Ngaia’s work was created as a gift to the people of Wellington. The karakia underlines the importance of Matariki and Puanga as a locally and nationally unifying event in our calendar. Its overall theme is of unity, hope, oneness and community, and commitment to the whenua and to each other. The words instil hope and recognise the past as we move towards the future.

Jenny Nagle, Chief Executive of the New Zealand Society of Authors Te Puni Kaituhi o Aotearoa (PEN NZ) Inc, described the Writers Walk as “a celebrated highlight” of the city, made up of “living monuments to celebrate our own voices.”
Philippa Werry, Chair of the Wellington Writers Walk committee, said, “it was a very special occasion, and it was wonderful to watch the delighted and awestruck reactions as people crowded around to view the new sculpture after the unveiling. We are so excited to have it in place and we hope that many Wellingtonians will come down to see it and engage with Ben’s karakia over the next few weeks and during Matariki.”
Pippa Sanderson, Wellington City Council Senior Arts Advisor, spoke about the value of public art in raising the visibility of te ao Māori in Pōneke. “Council is proud to support Wellington Writers Walk’s first te reo sculpture through our Public Art Fund.”

The sculpture is designed by David Hakaraia (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Paoa) with landscape design by Tama Whiting (Te Whānau-ā-Apanui) and production and project management by Human Dynamo. Set amongst native planting between Te Papa and the waterfront promenade, it faces the harbour and provides a space for peaceful thought and contemplation, allowing people to reflect on the words and meaning of the karakia. It is the first sculpture to be backlit and its glowing letters will provide a different experience again for evening viewers.

The te reo text and an English contextualisation (also by Ben Ngaia) can be read on the Wellington Writers Walk website. https://wellingtonwriterswalk.co.nz/sculpture/ben-ngaia/

This project is a partnership and collaboration between Wellington Writers Walk and Te Ātiawa/Taranaki Whānui ki Te Upoko o Te Ika, with support from Wellington City Council. The Writers Walk is grateful for grants from the Wellington City Council Public Art Fund and the Stout Trust (proudly managed by Perpetual Guardian) and for support from 128 generous donors to their recent Boosted campaign. The sculpture will go into Council ownership after a year of being maintained and monitored by the Writers Walk. The Wellington Writers Walk is a long-standing sub-committee of the Wellington branch of the New Zealand Sociiety of Authors Te     Puni Kaituhi o Aotearoa, and is responsible for envisioning and installng all 24 writers plaques, aross the last 25 years.

The first eleven sculptures of the Writers Walk were unveiled in 2002, and this newest one brings the total to 24, spread along the waterfront between Kumutoto Stream and Oriental Bay, all honouring and celebrating the lives and works of New Zealand writers – poets, novelists, and playwrights, who had or have some connection with Wellington.

The Wellington Writers Walk has just been named a finalist for the Wellington Airport Regional Community Awards 2026 that recognise the valuable contribution of volunteers to community groups and organisations across the Wellington Region.

For more information please contact: Philippa Werry email philippawerry at gmail.com or Tracy Farr books at tracyfarrauthor.com