Monday, 29 March 2021

TE REO HOTUNUI O TE MOANA-NUI-A-KIWA Te Reo Hotunui o Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa, the Pacific Islands Memorial represents New Zealand’s enduring friendship with the Pacific Islands and the service of Pacific Islanders who fought for New Zealand in the two World Wars and later conflicts. The design depicts a bronze conch shell, a symbol deeply rooted in Pacific cultures, which features a patina finish with remembrance poppies. The design by artist Michel Tuffery MNZM and Herriot, Melhuish and O’Neil Architects was selected by an expert judging panel following a national design competition. Named Te Reo Hotunui o Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa – The Deep Sigh of the Pacific, it recalls the conch shell left in the Arras Tunnels by Kuki Airani (Cook Island) soldiers of The New Zealand tunnelling Company and the New Zealand (Māori) Pioneer Battalion, who were stationed beneath the town of Arras during 1916 to 1918. https://micheltuffery.co.nz/te-reo-hotunui-o-te-moana-nui-a-kiwa/