Wi Teapa (Te-Roro-o-Te-Rangi, Te Arawa, Te Āti Awa)

Wi Teapa is a master of uku (clay), with a career spanning over 50 years. He is one of Aotearoa’s most senior and highly regarded uku artists. Recently installed on level one at the InterContinental Hotel reception, One Queen Street, is a suite of six monumental uku mahi toi.

‘Tū Tangata,’ meaning 'Stand Together,' symbolises the unity of diverse cultures who gather within the building, illustrating the power of community and shared ideas. The deliberate placement of the pieces forms triangular shapes, symbolising the passing of knowledge and the fusion of ideas—a metaphor for Aukaha, emphasising the power in connection and the transfer of kete o te wānanga (the kete of knowledge) through generations.

Aukaha is a unified pūtake (narrative) underpinning the curation of this collection and is manifested in all the artworks commissioned. Aukaha are the bindings that strap the waka together and symbolise strength in unity, reflecting the convergence of whenua (land) and moana (sea), and the power of working collaboratively.

Some pieces feature a red line, symbolising the whakapapa (genealogy) that connects people throughout the building. This toto (blood) line underscores the common humanity all share, regardless of cultural or national affiliation.

Teapa’s sculptures embody the geological forces that shape our world, solidifying soft clay through fire and heat. Each piece tells stories from mythology, reflecting on the moment when elements blend, and people come together.

Teapa's work is a testament to the enduring connection between humans and the earth, honoring the whakapapa of clay and its significance in Māori culture. Through his sculptures, Teapa captures the essence of Aukaha, celebrating convergence and connection in a tangible form.

One Queen Street, the Deloitte Centre, is a Precinct Properties development with architecture by Warren & Mahoney, interior design by Technē, and home to the luxury InterContinental Hotel. The One Queen Street kaupapa includes commissioned works by our four mana whenua design partners alongside works by leading contemporary artists from Aotearoa, New Zealand, and Australia.

Selected photography: Melissa Collow. Images courtesy of the artist.