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Nga Hau e Wha

SCULPTURE SENDS PUKE ARIKI'S MESSAGE TO THE WORLD

The stone carving's intertwined arms and legs represent the joining of the four winds.

Artist: Maurice Whitehead

Corner of Puke Ariki Landing, Ariki St, New Plymouth.

Nga Hau e Wha ("The Four Winds") represents the four winds of Tawhirimatea (God of the Winds): Te Hau Tonga (South Wind), Te Hau Raki (North Wind), Te Hau Rawhiti (East Wind) and Te Hau aa Uru (West Wind).

The inter-twining of the legs and arms represents the joining of the different directions.

The sculpture was carved during the 2000 millennium celebrations and was gifted by Maurice Whitehead and Te Kupenga Stone Sculpture Society. The figures are based on Taranaki carvings held in the Puke Ariki collection.

Nga Hau e Wha symbolically carries the message of Puke Ariki to the people of Taranaki, New Zealand and the world.