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Whanganui a Tara (Ngake and Whataitai); Whiting, Cliff; Circa 1990; 2002/8/1
Name/Title
Whanganui a Tara (Ngake and Whataitai)
Whanganui a Tara (Ngake and Whataitai)
About this object
Whanganui a Tara depicts the kaitiaki or guardians of Wellington harbour, Ngake and Whataitai (also pronounced Hataitai). In Maori legend the harbour was once a lake. Ngake was restless and wanted to escape into the open sea. He circled frantically around the lake and hurled himself at the rocks and smashed through to Raukawamoana (Cook Strait). Whataitai tried to escape too but he got stuck and his body formed the isthmus between the former island of Motu Kairanga and the western side of the harbour (where the Wellington airport is now).
Whanganui a Tara depicts the kaitiaki or guardians of Wellington harbour, Ngake and Whataitai (also pronounced Hataitai). In Maori legend the harbour was once a lake. Ngake was restless and wanted to escape into the open sea. He circled frantically around the lake and hurled himself at the rocks and smashed through to Raukawamoana (Cook Strait). Whataitai tried to escape too but he got stuck and his body formed the isthmus between the former island of Motu Kairanga and the western side of the harbour (where the Wellington airport is now).
Maker
Whiting, Cliff
Whiting, Cliff
Maker Role
Artist
Artist
Date Made
Circa 1990
Circa 1990
Place Made
New Zealand
Medium and Materials
Customwood, wood and acrylic paint
Customwood, wood and acrylic paint
Collection
TheNewDowse Permanent Collection
TheNewDowse Permanent Collection
Credit Line
Collection of TheNewDowse, Gift of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Wellington 2002
Collection of TheNewDowse, Gift of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Wellington 2002
Object Type
Sculpture
Sculpture
Object number
2002/8/1
2002/8/1
