Viaduct Harbour is giving Aucklanders and visitors an immersive experience entitled Puanga. Conceived by London-based Māori creative director Tuhirangi Blair (Ngāti Whātua, Ngāi Tūhoe, Ngāti Awa) in collaboration with local installation artist Angus Muir and located in the precinct’s Market Square, Puanga will be accessible for the public to experience from 14-30 June, from 6am-10pm.
Blair explains the inspiration behind his masterpiece: “Puanga explores the Māori concept of timekeeping through celestial navigation. While the Matariki (Pleiades) star group is widely recognised as the signifier of the new year, Puanga (Rigel) held significance for certain iwi (tribes) in the far north, Chatham Islands, parts of the west coast, and much of the South Island. It was a nuanced system where stars like Puanga, Tautoru (Orion's Belt), and Pipiri (Canopus) worked together. For Ngāti Whātua, Puanga holds particular importance.”
The cube structure by Angus Muir creates a kaleidoscope of reflections. Brought to life by sound, this experience places the viewer in the centre of the night sky in a reflective universe. The exterior catches refractions of coloured light. Learn more here.
Supported by Auckland Council and the city centre targeted rate.