City to Sea Bridge

The Story

Te Korero

The collaborative work City to Sea Bridge opened in 1994. It connects the heart of the city to Frank Kitts lagoon and the waterfront, stretching over Jervois Quay, a multi-laned road that separates the city from the waterfront.

The bridge is constructed of timber planking and is adorned with non-traditional wooden sculptures carved by prominent Māori artist Paratene Matchitt, some of which form the sides of the bridge. One side of bridge there are two taniwha called Ngake and Whātaitai. On the other side are two manu (birds). Other sculptures are whales, patiki (founder), and fish.

Some sculptures are on metal poles, including a star and the phases of the moon, which were inspired by a flag used by Te Kooti (a Māori military leader and prophet). These sculptures are best viewed on clear evenings with the full moon rising behind them. The City to Sea Bridge and its neighbour, Te Aho a Māui together explore the Māori creation story of Te Whanganui-a-Tara (Wellington Harbour) and of Te Aho a Māui (Māui's fishing line), which he used to fish up the North Island of New Zealand.

The bridge provides 'a physical and conceptual space through which the different cultural uses and meanings invested in Te Whanganui-a-Tara or Wellington Harbour are played out... [and] signals the increasing prominence granted to Māori culture within the realm of public art' (Harper and Lister, 2007, pp. 16-18).

The Bridge

Te piriri

A pedestrian bridge and public artwork located in Wellington City, New Zealand.

Opened in 1994, the wedge-shaped bridge crosses arterial road Jervois Quay, connecting the public spaces of Civic Square to the Wellington waterfront precinct at Whairepo Lagoon.

Around the square are the Michael Fowler Centre, Wellington Town Hall, Wellington City Art Gallery and Wellington Central Library.

The bridge is adorned with non-traditional wooden sculptures carved by prominent Māori artist Paratene Matchitt, some of which form the sides of the bridge. The bridge has become a tourist attraction in its own right.

The Artist

Te kaitoi

Matchitt's art formation began with helping his father and grandfather on his workshop at Edgecumbe.

He is a New Zealand sculptor and painter. He is known for combining traditional Māori art forms with those of modernist art.

His work also references events from New Zealand history, particularly the Māori prophetic movements of the nineteenth century and most specifically Te Kooti.

Matchitt is best known for his large-scale public sculpture such as the City to Sea Bridge in Wellington and Auckland’s Aotea Centre.