MAORI RANGATIRA
MICHAEL WEIR, WAS COMMISSIONED BY THE
HAURAKI DISTRICT COUNCIL OF WAIHI, NEW ZEALAND.
In the year 2000 Michael Weir was commissioned by the Hauraki District Council to sculpt a life-size sculpture of a
Maori Rangatira to be produced in Bronze for the, 'Waihi Streetscape
2000' sculptures. His brief was to sculpt
a life-size Bronze sculpture depicting a Maori warrior holding a 'Raiha and striking the ground from which water
gushed and subsequently naming the area 'Waihi Hi', 'Gushing Water'. Hence the name of the town 'Waihi'.
His task was made difficult for the Council had very little detail to give him to make a start yet the statue had to
satisfy the local Iwi, Council and Streetscape Committee. After much research and many trips to the Auckland
Museum and discussions with members of the Iwi and Council, Michael was able to capture
their vision and
transform their ideas into a sculpture that surpassed all of
their expectations.
the 'Maori Rangatira' is now a landmark in the main street of Waihi, a sculpture generations from now and into
the future the people of Waihi will be proud of.
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