Hataitai, Anthony Pene

The Department of Justice commissioned students from the 1992 Wellington Polytechnic Course of Contemporary Māori design to provide designs for glass panelling on the entrances to various courtrooms in the building.

The other commissioned works are linked below.

This work tells the story of how Hataitai (Whataitai) received its name. A taniwha became landlocked and escaped into the Cook Strait by transforming itself into a bird. Also indicated are the sacred mountains which are part od the Wellington skyline.

Wellington City Libraries wishes to thank Maribeth S. Coleman for the donation of ‘Public Art and Publically Accessible Art’.

Maribeth Coleman’s photographs and index remain under Copyright but are shared here on a Creative Commons basis. Artworks and supporting documents shown are also under Copyright, and where appropriate permission has been sought from the Copyright holder. The creative works depicted here often contain cultural references and significance. We ask that users respect the mana and dignity of the works, artists and communities represented, in addition to any applications of Copyright. For further information see the Collection Guideline.