Te Ahi Tupua

In 2015, Rotorua Lakes Council and Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency agreed to enter into a partnership to commission a large-scale artwork to become the centrepiece for upgrades to the intersection of State Highway 5 and 30, the roundabout at the southern entrance to Rotorua.

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency invested $7.3 million into constructing a roundabout to replace what was New Zealand's fourth riskiest intersection due to the high crash rate. Construction started in April 2016 and was completed in December 2017.

In November 2015, Council put out a call to artists across Aotearoa for expressions of interest to produce the artwork. In the first two months of 2016, an independent panel narrowed down the 13 expressions of interest received to five concepts. In April 2016 the panel unanimously selected the design submitted by New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute |Te Puia.

Following initial challenges in finding a contractor to construct the sculpture from steel, Kilwell Fibretube approached Council in December 2017 with a proposal to build Te Ahi Tupua from composite materials. Te Ahi Tupua is a world-first for a composite structure of its size.

The meaning of Te Ahi Tupua

Te Ahi Tupua means The Eternal Fire - representing the divine that burns within all of us.

Te whakaawenga hoahoa | Design inspiration

Te Ahi Tupua weaves the stories of Ngātoroirangi, connections to other tribal groups and manaakitanga (hospitality).

Inspired by the world famous Pōhutu Geyser at Te Puia, the vortex incorporates different forms of geothermal energy. The flames link metaphorically to te ahi kā, keeping the home fires burning, reflecting the importance of tangata whenua, iwi kāinga and mana whenua.The co ncept of kaitiakitanga (guardianship) envelopes Te Ahi Tupua, highlighting the importance of caring for our environment through the generations.

Soaring 12m into the air, Te Ahi Tupua reaches skyward, acknowledging the pursuit of learning and knowledge. Elements of navigation, both ancient and modern, are also expressed, reflecting the people of the area - past, present and future.

Specialising in weaving and traditional wood and stone carving, the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute developed the contemporary concept for Te Ahi Tupua. Stacy Gordine led the design, which embraced new technologies and materials.

He Korero Tuku Iho o Te Ahi Tupua | Historical Account of Geothermal Origins

Ngātoroirangi was the esteemed spiritual navigator of the Te Arawa waka that carried ancestors here from Hawaiki.

Waka Kotahi/NZ Transport Agency urban design guidelines

According to Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency's urban design guidelines for roundabouts, landmark features (large scale public art, feature lightings) can help wayfinding and enhance local identity. The guidelines also acknowledge that the central island is primarily a visual element. It should be designed to create a distinctive visual effect and require minimal maintenance. Within the guidelines it is stated that public art can be successfully integrated in the design of highway corridors to deliver a number of benefits including:

Creating a sense of arrival
Bolstering a community's identity and sense of pride
Helping to bring infrastructure elements into the wider environment
Integrating cultural heritage and values at the city's gateway.

Te Arawa made landfall at Maketū and Ngātoroirangi travelled inland arriving at Mount Tongariro (in the central North Island), where he was caught in a blizzard. In desperation, he called for his sisters Kuiwai and Haungaroa, in Hawaiki, to save him.

The sisters filled six baskets with glowing embers and sent forth Te Pupu and Te Hoata, the subterranean guardians of fire, to deliver the baskets of heat.

The pair plunged deep into the earth travelling to Aotearoa. Embers were left behind where they surfaced at Whakaari (White Island), Moutohorā (Whale Island), Rotoiti, Tarawera, Rotorua, Ōrākei Korako, Wairakei, Tokaanu, and finally Ketetahi at Tongariro, with just one precious kete of fire left to save Ngātoroirangi.

Today, the path travelled by Te Pupu and Te Hoata is recognised by a string of geothermal features at the points where they surfaced. This geothermal trail recounts the arrival of Te Arawa in Aotearoa, and memorialises historic connections.

Ko te whakapapa | Explaining the layers

Ngā Pūmanawa e Waru o Te ArawaThe Eight Beating Hearts of Te Arawa

The eight main bands and tips each represent the major ancestors from whom all Te Arawa tribes descend - Rātōrua, Rākeiao, Rangiaohia, Rangiwhakaekeau, Tauruao, Kawatapuārangi, Apumoana, Tūhourangi.

Kātua | Inner Helix

The inner vortex symbolises the mana (spiritual power) of Ngātoroirangi and reaches skyward as a call to his sisters, Kuiwai and Haungaroa.

Pekerangi | Outer Helix

The four main outer bands symbolise compass points of people from the four winds, as well as highlighting cultural diversity and how people of different origins remain both distinct but connected.

Whakakī | Interconnection

The whakakī (joiners) represent connection and symbolise the joining of energies from the earth mother and sky father, Papatūānuku and Ranginui. They also remind us of the interconnectedness of people - past, present and future.

Manaia/Wheku | Guardians of Fire

The two figures either side of Te Ahi Tupua signify Te Pupu and Te Hoata, the two subterranean guardians of fire. The smaller manaia heads within these figures represent the kete filled with fire.

The four designs at the base embody the essence of Te Pupu and Te Hoata and the subterranean journey they took to bring heat and fire from Hawaiki to Aotearoa.

Te hanga | Construction

Local company, Kilwell Fibretube, accepted the unique task of constructing this beautiful and complex sculpture using highly innovative technology

Te Tā | Printing

Stacy Gordine's sculptural design was digitised by Derek Kawiti at Victoria University and then split into individual files for 3D printing.

The internal structure comprises over 1,200 unique interlocking 3D cylinders made from Polyactic Acid (PLA). Derived from renewable sources, like cornstarch and sugarcane, these cylinders fit together to form the long curved shapes of Te Ahi Tupua. Kilwell's ten 3D printers worked 24/7 for over six months to complete the printing.

Te Tūhono | Assembly

The 3D printed blocks were glued together in 3m sections before being fitted with a carbon fibre sleeve and then sealed with epoxy resin.

Sections were then joined into the full 12m lengths before being hand-wrapped in layers of carbon fibre and fibreglass. After every five layers the sections were vacuum infused with epoxy. To achieve the required structural strength this process was repeated until each length had between 12 and 20 layers.

By using carbon fibre the sculpture is incredibly strong but relatively lightweight for its size.

Te Hanga | Construction

The construction of Te Ahi Tupua took 25 months and during that time Kilwell spent more than 20,000 hours building the sculpture by hand. 3D printing began in March 2018 and both helixes were installed on 12 September 2020.

Auahatanga | Innovation

Te Ahi Tupua is unique and innovative in both design and construction. There is no other sculpture in the world of this size that has been constructed from 3D printed material and hand-wrapped in layers of carbon fibre.

Being the first of its kind meant there were many challenges that had to be overcome. With guidance from Gurit Composite Engineering, Kilwell worked through each obstacle and devised innovative solutions to enable its construction.

Installation

On Saturday 12 September 2020 Te Ahi Tupua was transported from Kilwell Fibretube to Hemo Gorge roundabout using a Black Hawk helicopter. The helicopter lifted the sculpture in two separate pieces and delivered them to the roundabout. A crane was then used to lift each helix into place within the roundabout.

Funders and contributors

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency
Kilwell Fibretube
New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute |Te Puia
Rotorua Trust
Rotorua Community Arts Trust
Lion Foundation
Infinity Foundation
Red Stag Timber
Rotorua Public Arts Trust
WSP

Te Ahi Tupua project timeline

November 2015 - Call for expressions of interest from artists
February 2016 - 13 Expressions of Interest received
February 2016 - Shortlisted to five artists
20 April 2016 - Developed concepts shown to external selection panel. Design from New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute |Te Puia selected
May 2016 - Engineers engaged to turn concept to digitised files for construction
December 2016 - Tender for construction
January 2017 - Tender closed and contractor selected
September 2017 - Notice to community about delays with original steel construction
December 2017 - Kilwell Fibretube announced as new manufacturer
March 2018 - Design and 3D print files finalised from Wellington consultant
March 2018 - 3D printing of inner skeleton begins
April 2018 - Assembly and fabrication begins
January 2020 - Second helix assembled in standing position
January - September 2020 - addition of connection pieces and painting
September 2020 - Installation
September 2020 - January 2021 - testing, painting, addition of manaia, lighting and decorative base cover
January 2021 - final karakia to embed the mauri into Te Ahi Tupua

Reports and engineering

Following installation of Te Ahi Tupua, tests and inspections have been undertaken by independent engineers and technical experts. Reports and statements to Council have provided assurances that the sculpture has been built and installed correctly according to design specifications and that the carbon fibre structure exceeds design loads by 620%.

Reports and statements:

As Built Testing and Installation report by Gurit Structural Engineering - 12 October 2020(report 1)
As Built Inner Tube Connect Test report by Gurit Structural Engineering - 27 November 2020 (report 2)The October 2020 report from Gurit (report 1) notes the need for additional full-scale testing. The final report (report 2) by Gurit followed additional full-scale testing and concludes that Te Ahi Tupua exceeds the design loads by 620%.
Construction inspection confirmation by WSP - 20 January 2021This document provides confirmation that WSP carried out inspections of the foundation of Te Ahi Tupua before and after installation. This letter confirms that WSP is satisfied that the elements have been adequately fabricated and installed up to the standard of modern construction.
Statement of confirmation by Kilwell Fibretube - 22 January 2021This written statement from Kilwell Fibretube confirms that Te Ahi Tupua has been constructed in acorrdance with design specifications and surpassed the necessary testing standards.

Further information about the project

What was Council's financial contribution to Te Ahi Tupua?

In 2019 elected members agreed to increase the financial contribution to Te Ahi Tupua from $270,000 to $388,000 with project partners and Red Stag Timber, Rotorua Civic Arts Trust, Rotorua Trust, Infinity Foundation and Lion Foundation contributing funds to the project.

Is the sculpture safe? Will it be able to withstand the elements?

Te Ahi Tupua has been constructed to specific certifications that are required for an Importance Level 2 structure. This means the sculpture needed to be able to withstand 175km winds (i.e. a grade 5 hurricane). During construction, Kilwell Fibretube worked with Scion Rotorua to test the strength of the sculpture and ensure it met the engineering certifications and PS1 certification.

Since installation Te Ahi Tupua has been further tested and inspected by structural engineers and technical experts. Gurit Structural Engineers concluded in their report that Te Ahi Tupua exceeds design loads by 620%.

What benefit does public art/the sculpture bring to the region?

Public art can be successfully integrated into the design of highway corridors and deliver many benefits. Public art helps to create a sense of arrival and can be a memorable event along a journey. It often tells an important story which bolster's local community identify and sense of pride. Te Ahi Tupua integrates Rotorua's rich Māori heritage, identity, and values into the design and celebrates the uniqueness of the region.

Is Te Ahi Tupua the tallest/biggest 3D sculpture in the world?

Te Ahi Tupua is 12m at the highest point. From our research, we have not found another sculpture that matches the size, shape and complexity of Te Ahi Tupua.

Why is Te Ahi Tupua covered in carbon fibre?

Using carbon fibre and fibreglass meant the structure would be lightweight and very strong. It also allowed the manufacturers to achieve the curved shape.

What sort of maintenance is involved?

Ongoing maintenance is expected to be minimal. It will require cleaning which can be achieved using a water blaster and a cherry picker. Every 8 years or so it will require a coat of the clear UV protection product which helps to protect the colour of the sculpture. Rotorua Lakes Council will be responsible for ongoing maintenance and monitoring of the sculpture.

How long will the sculpture last?

Te Ahi Tupua is designed to last 50 plus years.