The Rise, a giant tūī sculpture by Nicolas Lupacchino, on the Te Awa River Ride.
An emotional Mandy Hudson spoke of the collaboration between Te Awa Lifecare and local iwi at the unveiling of a five‑metre‑wingspan tūī sculpture on the Te Awa River Ride this week.
Iwi representatives, Te Awa Lifecare staff, and community members gather to celebrate the installation of The Rise. From left are Mat Shorter, Nikki Belfield, Ricky Winikerei, Mandy Hudson, Sarah Ulmer, Diane Johnstone, June Reynolds, Barbara Edgecombe, Sheryl and Ron Johns, Terry and Meryl Stretton, Marty Dunn, Margaret Goldsmith, Anne Phipps, Anna maria Van Rijen and Laurie Goldsmith. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
The artwork, created by Wānaka artist Nicolas Lupacchino, is the sixth installation in the Cambridge precinct of the Te Awa River Ride Art Trail – a growing outdoor gallery designed to connect people with art, nature, and community.
The sculpture, titled The Rise, sits within newly developed wetlands on Te Awa Lifecare’s property, co-owned by Hudson who acknowledged the land’s origins as Ngāti Hauā and Ngāti Korokī Kahukura.
“I always feel quite emotional at times like this because I’d really like to recognise (them),” she told a gathering of Te Awa Lifecare residents, iwi and River Ride trail manager Sarah Ulmer this week.
“We think it’s a beautiful piece of land. We’re honoured to be asked to be part of this and to help acknowledge the history of the land and people coming together in community.”
iwi, Harry Wilson and pūtātara (conch) player Ricky Winikerei lead the way towards The Rise tui before the unveiling. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
The Rise, a giant tūī sculpture by Nicolas Lupacchino, is unveiled in Te Awa Lifecare’s restored wetlands. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
It is a partnership that blends ecological restoration with cultural expression, she said.
The other art on the trail is a mural on the Gaslight Theatre wall and sculptures Wag the dog, Mama Pūkeko, Kowhai Dreaming and tuna kuwharuwharu.
Harry Wilson, speaking on behalf of both iwi, opened the event with a blessing and shared memories of growing up along the river. He also explained the significance of the pūtātara (conch), played by Ricky Winikerei during the ceremony.
“When the pūtātara is blown, we’re opening the spiritual world and asking them to come and be part of our occasion today – the living and the dead,” he said.
The Art Trail, launched last year, was envisioned by Te Awa River Ride Charitable Trust chair Simon Perry and trustee Marlene Julian as a way to enhance the user experience along the 65‑kilometre cycle trail.
Newly developed wetlands on Te Awa Lifecare’s property provide the setting for the tūī sculpture. From left pūtātara (conch) player Ricky Winikerei, Mandy Hudson with granddaughter Blake Belfield and trail manager Sarah Ulmer. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
The Cambridge precinct – stretching from the Gaslight Theatre to the Velodrome – is the first to be developed.
Ulmer said the installation of The Rise brings the first precinct close to completion – there will be seven in all. The last will go between the Velodrome and the trail.
“These projects simply aren’t possible without amazing people who get behind community groups like ourselves,” she said.
Te Awa Lifecare residents Diane Johnstone and June Reynolds said the sculpture was spectacular.
Johnstone said it brought back memories of tūī returning to her farm after she and her late husband restored native bush.
The Rise, a giant tūī sculpture by Nicolas Lupacchino, is unveiled in Te Awa Lifecare’s restored wetlands. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
“It just brings back memories … I got all emotional,” she said.
Reynolds praised the environmental work undertaken by Hudson and the other owners – Terry Pratley, and Geoff and Leanne McPhail – including stormwater‑managing swales and extensive planting to attract birdlife. Last week they released 100 pheasants onto the property.
Te Awa Lifecare, now in its 10th year, is home to 250 residents and includes 80 care beds, 60 service cottages and 150 villas.
Trail manager Sarah Ulmer with iwi, Harry Wilson and pūtātara (conch) player Ricky Winikerei before the tui was unveiled. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
The Rise tui on the Te Awa River Ride.
