Architectural Embellishments

I photographed these Maori decorations on the old Martime Building in Dunedin - thanks to a tip-off from a Dunedin friend 'in the know.' I had already driven by the building several times without noticing it and even when given the address, I still found it easy to overlook. But perhaps there's a little beauty in that even - that this little architectural secret sits tucked away in a Dunedin corner without any great fanfare.

Now, just for the record, I was going to write the address here so if any of you just happened to be in Dunedin and were interested........ but in a crazy twist of fate I seem to have mislaid it. If any Dunedin readers know it, maybe you'd like to leave it in a comment?

Church Glass

I'm a big fan of churches. From an architectural point of view, they're one of my regular photographic subjects and when it comes to Maori churches, there is so much more to be inspired by. One of the largest and most ornate is St Faith's Anglican Church on the banks of Lake Rotorua at Ohinemutu in Rotorua itself.

Te Hahio o Te Whakaporo

The Church of the Faith

I love that almost every available surface is decorasted - either carved, painted or woven; and that the windows are embellished with beautiful Maori designs.

One of the most distinctive features at St Faith's is the Galilee Chapel Window, which features a life-size figure of Christ wearing a kiwi feather korowai (cloak). The figure is sandblasted on plate glass and by virtue of its placement, it appears as though Christ is walking on the waters of Lake Rotorua behind the church.

Architectural Detail

Carved Highlights

Turangawaewae Marae

Ngaruawahia, Waikato

Click on Turangawaewae Marae in the label line below

To find out more about this important Waikato marae.

Architectural Details

Traditional Carvings

Etched Glass

Architectural Details

Old and New

Waikato, North Island

Bay of Plenty Building Designs

Opotiki. May 2009. Ajr

One of the things I loved best about travelling from Rotorua to Opotiki and on, right around East Cape to Gisborne, was the proliferation of Maori pattern and design that you rarely see now anywhere else in country - apart from on marae of course. It's everywhere and Opotiki was especially colourful. Take these traditional patterns that decorate the Whakatohea Health Centre for instance - a small, otherwise insignificant little 1920s stucco building made handsome and distinctive in the town's main street. Te Whakatohea is the main iwi of the Bay of Plenty region and the lands of the six hapu (sub-tribes) stretch from Ohiwa Harbour in the west to Opape in the east and inland to Matawai. I'd love to make a return trip here to explore some of those much-less-travelled inland areas - one day soon I hope. www.whakatohea.co.nz

An Art Deco Triumph

Some months back, in a blog about Maori design in Art Deco architecture, I wrote about the extraordinary Maori design embellishments inside Napier’s ASB building. When I visited Napier a few weeks ago, I went in to see for myself and it’s true, they are extraordinary. Even more extraordinary is the fact that a bank allows people to take photographs inside. They didn’t even mind me lying down on their floor so I could get some detailed shots of the beautiful ceiling. (I had secretly thought that might be pushing the boundaries of their understanding, but no, no one even seemed to notice).

The ASB was built in the aftermath of the 1931 Napier earthquake in 1933-34. Designed by architect Vivien Haughton from the Wellington firm of Crichton McKay & Haughton, it caused quite a stir when it first opened because it was painted apple green. No less striking – then or today – is its lofty six metre high banking chamber and the elaborate plaster kowhaiwhai patterns that decorate both the ceiling and interior friezes. Painted in traditional colours of red, black and white, they are inspired by the traditional rafter patterns found inside the decorative whare whakairo (carved meeting house).

The building was completely restored in 1992 in a successful partnership between the building owner’s architects, The Natusch Partnership of Napier, the ASB architects, CPRW Fisher, interior designers, Martin Hughes Associates and Skews Hey Ussher with consultation with the New Zealand Historic Places Trust and the Art Deco Trust.

The exterior of the building is also lovely in an understated kind of way. At first glance it seems stern – all that concrete and stone – but when you get closer to it, the Maori design influences become much clearer. Carving patterns on the outside symbolise waves in the form of zig-zags and represent Raumano (the whale); and bronze grilles over the entrance windows also incorporate the whale motif. To see other buildings that incorporate Maori designs click on Art Deco, architecture and/or Traditional Designs in the label line below this post.

New Book an Important Milestone

Book Cover Image courtesy Penguin Group (NZ).

At last a book that charts the course of Maori architecture! I spied this handsome volume just last week – “Maori Architecture – From Fale to Wharenui and Beyond,” written by Dr Deidre Brown and published by Penquin Group (NZ). It’s the first book that focuses on the genesis and form of indigenous buildings in New Zealand, exploring the vast array of Maori-designed structures and spaces, how they have evolved over time and how they tell the story of an ever-changing people. It covers everything from early Polynesian settlement, the introduction and influence of Christianity and Western technology, the buildings of religious-political movements (Ringatu, Parihaka and Ratana for instance) to post-war urban migration and contemporary architecture. In addition to the authoritative text, over 130 lavish photographs give the book visual punch. Deidre Brown is a Maori art and architectural historian of Northern Ngapuhi, Ngati Kahu and Pakeha descent. Her previous books have also been ‘winners’ – literally in the case of Tai Tokerau Whakairo Rakau –Northland Maori Woodcarving (2003), which won Best First Book Award, Non-Fiction at the 2004 Montana New Zealand Book Awards. Brown has also written Introducing Maori Art (2005), Maori Arts of the Gods (2005) and Te Puna: Maori Art from Te Tai Tokerau Northland (2007, co-edited with Ngarino Ellis). She currently works as senior lecturer at the School of Architecture & Planning, University of Auckland. http://www.penguin.co.nz/

Maori Design in Architecture

Rotorua. May 2009. Ajr

A few weeks back I posted a small piece about the use of traditional Maori design elements in contemporary western architecture – namely on the exterior of the grand Tudor building that now serves as the centre for Rotorua Tourism. It is not surprising that in a city that has always had a strong Maori presence, many buildings have been beautifully embellished with traditional Maori design elements. This is another example – on the exterior of the Rotorua Citizens’ Club – a sturdy Art Deco-style building in the centre of town. And on the subject of Maori architecture, look out for tomorrow’s post about Dr Deidre Brown’s beautiful new book, “Maori Architecture.”

Architectural Design Motifs

Rotorua May 2009 Ajr

One of my favourite Rotorua buildings is the Visitor Information Centre, which was once the town’s Post Office. It was built in 1914 by the Snell Brothers of Hamilton to replace the original Post Office.

Rotorua. May 2009 Ajr

It’s a magnificent example of Tudor architecture and I love the Maori design motifs that have been incorporated into its façade. www.rotoruanz.com