Waka Moana Linear Park

At SRS Group, we’re proud to be part of a project that goes far beyond fabrication, one that honours heritage, elevates artistry, and brings together some of the most talented hands and minds in Aotearoa. Waka Moana, the newest public artwork in Auckland’s Wynyard Quarter, is a breathtaking tribute to the maritime traditions of Māori voyagers and the cultural richness of Tāmaki Makaurau. Designed by lead artist Graham Tipene (Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, Ngāti Kahu, Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Hauā, Ngāti Manu), the installation features nine six-metre waka hulls arranged in a striking taratara-a-kae (zig-zag) formation along Daldy Street Linear Park. Each waka tells a story, of waka hourua (double-hull ocean-going vessels) and waka tētē (local transport and fishing vessels); of taonga (precious items) and punga (traditional anchors); of pā tūwatawata (defensive fencing) and pūhoro (tā moko motifs symbolising speed and agility). These elements were brought to life through the artistry of Ngāti Whātua and Ngāti Tamaoho artists including Caine Toatahi Taihia, Uira Nahi, Ted Ngatakai, and Maaka Potini, with additional design by Janine Williams (Ngāti Pāoa, Ngāti Whātua ki Kaipara). To realise this vision, SRS Group applied its expertise in project management and custom fabrication, working alongside an incredible team of collaborators: Auckland Council’s Urban Development Office & Public Art Team – Guiding the cultural and civic vision LandLAB – leading urban design and landscape architecture Graham Tipene – Lead artist Contrax Greenscapes – Managing the integration of the tōtara framework into the GRP hulls Innovate Composites – Crafting the muka-infused fibreglass hulls with precision JFC – Delivering civil and landscape works Our team engineered and installed the towering waka hulls using a fusion of traditional materials like tōtara timber ribs and modern composites, ensuring each piece was structurally sound, culturally respectful, and visually stunning. This project is a powerful example of how collaboration across disciplines, from artists and iwi to engineers and urban designers, can create spaces that connect people to place, history, and each other. We’re honoured to have contributed to a work that replenishes the mauri (life essence) of Te Waitematā and celebrates the enduring legacy of Māori navigation, craftsmanship, and storytelling. Waka Moana is more than art. It’s a journey. It’s a gathering place. It’s Tāmaki Herenga Waka.