Statue of the explorer Kupe and his companions, 1939

Description

This is a very large monumental sculpture of three human figures. The Polynesian explorer Kupe holds a spear at the prow of his waka (canoe), Mätähoua; his wife, Hineiteäparangi (or Kuramarotini), points to the horizon; and the tohunga (skilled and respected person) Pekahourangi holds a tewhatewha (wooden battleaxe) and sits gazing into the distance. The sculpture is made of plaster with a concrete and wood base, and is painted a bronze colour. It was made by William Trethewey for the 1940 Centennial Exhibition in Wellington. The sculpture is 6.78 m (height) x 2.8 m (width) x 2.60 m (diameter), and weighs an estimated 4-5 tonnes.

Acknowledgements