Sculptures.org.nz

Original image by Br3nda

Te Aro Park, Memorial Cairn

Artist	Shona Davies
Year	1988
Location	Between Manners and Dixon Street
Tour directions	Head south on either Taranaki, Cuba, or the alley in between

Prime real estate

Te Aro Pa was one of the largest pa in the Wellington area with up to 200 people, at its peak in the 1850's, occupying an area of more than two hectares.

Sculpture background

Shona Rapira Davis submitted the successful proposal do redevelop Te Aro Park in 1992.

As the park is located at a historically significant pa site, Rapira Davies choose to shape the park like a waka; its prow at the apex.

The series of pools remind the viewer of the Te Aro stream. On the handmade clay tiles are printed signs of nature and inscriptions of the names of significant people, places and events connected to the area.

"A Cat Among the Pigeons"

Shona Rapira Davis' creation of Te Aro Park is recorded in the documentary A Cat Among the Pigeons (available on nzonscreen.com)