Hawke’s Bay Airport

As a vital gateway to Te Matau a Maui, the Hawke’s Bay region and Ngati Kahungunu, the airport project aimed to establish a profound sense of place, connecting visitors with the special attributes and unique stories of the people and whenua.

The Work

The project was conceived to reflect significant regional development, using our pasts as a foundation for important futures, drawing inspiration from our eponymous, innovative ancestor Maui. This was an adjunct to a larger project involving the surrounding roadways and state highway, which was built upon stories and metaphors of the Kuaka that fly annually to the site from Alaska to feed. Evolving over years of consultation and cooperation with local agencies and community groups, the entire site was envisioned as a powerful artwork itself, offering both a physical and spiritual entranceway to the vibrancy of the East Coast of Aotearoa.

Today, the airport showcases intricate whakairo on ceiling panels, posts and walls, offering a visually rich cultural experience. The landmark site authentically represents the essence of the region’s identity and welcomes visitors to carve their own memories into our local tapestry.