Urgent: Submissions needed to save Te Ngākau Civic Square taonga
Wellington waterfront’s City-to-Sea Bridge will be demolished due to unresolved seismic strengthening issues, but the fate of its public artworks remains unclear. Image: Jeff and Neda Fields via Flickr
Wellington City Council has released its plans for Te Ngākau Civic Square, including the demolition of the City-to-Sea Bridge, threatening public artworks located in the precinct. Hurry to have your say – public submissions close today, Wednesday 13 November, at 5pm.
Public Art Heritage is calling on urgent submissions to protect the iconic artworks in and around the City-to-Sea Bridge and Te Ngākau Civic Square, Wellington. The public artworks currently under threat are some of the most recognisable artworks in Te Whanganui-a-Tara.
In the Te Ngākau Precinct Development Plan now being consulted on, the strengthening and retention of the City-to-Sea Bridge (by artists Paratene Matchitt, Rewi Thompson and John Gray, 1993) isn’t presented as an option and is to be demolished. The Council is only consulting on new options to access the waterfront from Te Ngākau. It is also consulting on what it should prioritise during the development of the remaining parts of the precinct.
The retention of the City Gallery Wellington and refurbishment of the Town Hall and Library are already well underway, however, the Michael Fowler Centre by Warren and Mahoney is potentially under threat.
Says Public Art Heritage of the legacy of the Square and surrounding public artworks:
“Conceived as a huge outdoor room with its large, purposefully designed bricked area as a gallery/stage floor, public art was at the heart of this vision. Kara Puketapu from the Tenths Trust was consulted on the new square and it was decided bi-culturalism would be best reflected in the commissioned artworks by three senior Māori artists working at the height of their powers. Integrated into the precinct’s design, the resulting works are a tangible connection with the past, and an embodiment of this kaupapa.
“Our research has clarified that the entire site encompassing the City-to-Sea Bridge, Te Aho a Maui Capital Discovery Place (including Thompson’s elevated plaza maunga and paving that serves as its roof), the steps with Matt Pine’s Prow and Capital and forecourt of the square can be considered one integrated architectural and sculptural installation.”
Affected works
City-to-Sea Bridge (x1) and connected artworks (x3):
- Paratene Matchitt, Rewi Thompson and John Gray, City-to-Sea Bridge (1993)
- Rewi Thompson, Te Aho a Maui (1991)
- Matt Pine, Prow & Capital (1992)
- Athfield Architects, Nikau Palms (1992)
Te Ngākau Civic Square precinct artworks (x6):
- Toi Te Rito Maihi, title unknown (pātiki whāriki pattern in brick work, main part of Civic Square), (c. 1991)
- Neil Dawson, Ferns (1998/2018)
- Mary-Louise Brown, Seven Steps to Heaven (1999)
- Bruce Campbell, Axis of the Gate to Serendipity (1997)
- Alan Hobbs, Pig (1995)
- Jim Allen (TBC), Gibbs Memorial Fountain (1956)
Michael Fowler Centre artworks (x4):
- Gordon Crook, wall hangings (1983)
- Gordon Crook, banners (1983)
- Jock McEwen with Prisoners of Rimutaka Prison and Students of Petone (Hutt Valley) Technical Institute, Te Pou o Tauiwi me Te Pou o Wi Tako (1983)
- Artist unknown, triptych (refer to the image above). (If you have any information about this artwork please contact Public Art Heritage).
Public Art Heritage has also reported that, within the Square, Charlotte Fisher’s Reflecting Pools (1991), Chris Booth’s Silent People (1991) and Robert Franken’s The Sun Sets the Stage to the Day and Naga, Protecting the Ancient Knowledge (both 1992) were also commissioned for the precinct but have since been decommissioned.
How to make a submission
Complete an online submission form, download a submission form, or collect one from any library. Email your submission to [email protected] before 5pm Wednesday 13 November 2024. You can also send an inquiry for an oral submission via the same email address.
Public Art Heritage has prepared a sample submission form here, which can be borrowed from, altered, amended or adapted for further submissions.
The Architectural Centre Inc. has been following this closely. Follow @architectural_centre_inc on Instagram for updates.
