Te Hokinga Mai o te Kākā sculpture opens at Ōmokoroa wetland

A new public sculpture celebrating Pirirākau's deep connection to land and water has been unveiled at the Wāhi ō Waipapa Wetland in Ōmokoroa. Created by artist Que Bidois and engineered by Teia Dunster, the work — named Te Hokinga Mai o te Kākā (The Return of the Kākā) — stands at the heart of the purpose-built wetland at the end of Prole Road.

The sculpture traces the migration route from Tūhua (Mayor Island) to Kirikiriroa (Hamilton), with water flowing from the kākā's waha (mouth) representing the reo (voice) of the land. Pātiki (flounder) and tuna (eel) are embedded in the wings, acknowledging the sacred bond between people, land, and water. A central post symbolises water as the lifeblood of the whenua, with swirling pūhorowai patterns echoing the currents of the Waipapa River.

The wetland itself was designed as part of Western Bay of Plenty District Council's Prole Road urbanisation project, serving dual purposes: enhancing local biodiversity and managing stormwater. Pirirākau hapū guided the cultural design and the planting, which was done in collaboration with Matakana Island Nursery. The space is envisioned as a contemporary marae ātea — somewhere whānau and visitors can gather, share kōrero, and strengthen community bonds.

Alongside the sculpture, the reserve includes boardwalks, a shelter with seating, a drinking water fountain, a public toilet, and a bike repair station, with links to the Pahioa cycleway. Council infrastructure growth and delivery manager Annelie Badenhurst said the wetland showed how urban development could work hand-in-hand with the natural environment for generations to come.

Originally published in Katikati News (Sun Media).