Aurei
Expand/collapse
DescriptionAurei is a sculpture standing over six metres tall by artist Rangi Kipa. Made of bronze and anodised aluminium, Aurei is a site-specific piece that was designed to be viewed against the Whatu kākahu, the woven façade of the Student Centre.
The pieces work in tandem—the many interwoven strands of the whatu kākahu reference the multi-ethnic fabric of Aotearoa, while Aurei represents the University of Waikato as an institution that sews together the fabric of the past to the future aspirations of the students. In Māori tradition, the aurei had a dual purpose: as a clasp to hold a cloak closed, and as a needle. The artwork suggests a spirit of unity and the common pursuit of knowledge and understanding, symbolically tying people, relationships, kaupapa, and ideologies together.
Aurei was inspired by this whakataukī said by the first Māori king, Pōtatau Te Wherowhero:
“Kotahi te kohao o te ngira e kuhuna ai te miro mā, te miro pango, te miro whero”
“There is but one eye of the needle, through which white, black, and red thread must pass.”
Here, Pōtatau champions kotahitanga and manaakitanga—the concepts of unity and care for others through respect, support, and kindness. Individual threads, while unique, are weaker than when they are woven together. It celebrates diversity and encourages unity toward a common goal.
Kipa is a Māori sculptor, carver, illustrator, and tā moko (Māori tattooing) artist with ties to Taranaki, Te Āti Awa, and Ngāti Maniapoto tribes. Working with traditional and modern materials, his works are held in major collections across New Zealand. As a practitioner, Kipa believes in facilitating development; that it is about preparing and planning for generations to come, and that our job is to support the next generation. He has said, “If you can change the skill base of an individual, you change the ability of the whole community to earn a living.” Therefore, if a group learns the skills to continue developing on their own, they can teach the next generation and contribute to self-determination.
Rangi Kipa is a University of Waikato alumnus. His sculpture speaks to the institution's role in connecting students with their future ambitions. The aurei rises high above the viewer as if floating off toward the sky, supported by three threads. Standing apart from the whatu kākahu, it does not clasp the cloak shut, nor does it show evidence that it is sewing. Instead, it provides the viewer with tools—the resources needed to weave their own narrative while also remaining connected to the story of their peers and the University who share their journey.CreatorRangi Kipa
The pieces work in tandem—the many interwoven strands of the whatu kākahu reference the multi-ethnic fabric of Aotearoa, while Aurei represents the University of Waikato as an institution that sews together the fabric of the past to the future aspirations of the students. In Māori tradition, the aurei had a dual purpose: as a clasp to hold a cloak closed, and as a needle. The artwork suggests a spirit of unity and the common pursuit of knowledge and understanding, symbolically tying people, relationships, kaupapa, and ideologies together.
Aurei was inspired by this whakataukī said by the first Māori king, Pōtatau Te Wherowhero:
“Kotahi te kohao o te ngira e kuhuna ai te miro mā, te miro pango, te miro whero”
“There is but one eye of the needle, through which white, black, and red thread must pass.”
Here, Pōtatau champions kotahitanga and manaakitanga—the concepts of unity and care for others through respect, support, and kindness. Individual threads, while unique, are weaker than when they are woven together. It celebrates diversity and encourages unity toward a common goal.
Kipa is a Māori sculptor, carver, illustrator, and tā moko (Māori tattooing) artist with ties to Taranaki, Te Āti Awa, and Ngāti Maniapoto tribes. Working with traditional and modern materials, his works are held in major collections across New Zealand. As a practitioner, Kipa believes in facilitating development; that it is about preparing and planning for generations to come, and that our job is to support the next generation. He has said, “If you can change the skill base of an individual, you change the ability of the whole community to earn a living.” Therefore, if a group learns the skills to continue developing on their own, they can teach the next generation and contribute to self-determination.
Rangi Kipa is a University of Waikato alumnus. His sculpture speaks to the institution's role in connecting students with their future ambitions. The aurei rises high above the viewer as if floating off toward the sky, supported by three threads. Standing apart from the whatu kākahu, it does not clasp the cloak shut, nor does it show evidence that it is sewing. Instead, it provides the viewer with tools—the resources needed to weave their own narrative while also remaining connected to the story of their peers and the University who share their journey.CreatorRangi Kipa
Description
InterviewerJoe Harawira - NarratorSource of AcquisitionCommission
Location
Latitude/Longitude[1]
Usage
Kaitiakitanga StatementWe ask that, in addition to normal copyright and privacy considerations, users of our taonga and resources uphold the mana and dignity of the people, communities and places depicted or referred to within.CopyrightUniversity of Waikato
Relates To
Other ItemsUniversity of Waikato Sculpture Trail
Rangi Kipa, Aurei. University of Waikato, accessed 18/06/2025, https://onehera.waikato.ac.nz/nodes/view/10634