Location: Roslin Street Youth Park, play area

Materials: Totara, On concrete plinth.

Created: 2006

Artist: Davey McGhie

Definition of Name:
“Kahukura” – Is a name known to that of the bowed rainbow.
“Te Koura” – The crayfish or prawn.

Interpretation of Definition:
Kahukura the rainbow bringing various messages associated to the weather & elements.

Meaning of the Sculpture/Carving:
Kahukura is based on what the inside of a Koura (crayfish) looks like. The log was struck by lightning in the forest the back of the sculpture keeps this burnt look.
Davey created this sculpture to the memory of his daughter who had passed away. “The pole is very special to me. It is an honour to have it placed in the Youth Park, where the play and laughter of children will be with my daughter’s spirit every day.” – Davey McGhie

Materials:
The material used for this piece is Totara. The log used for this Talking Pole was donated by the Te Putahitanga O Nga Ara Trust.
Totara wood is red, straight-grained and easy to work; although rather brittle, it is one of the most durable timbers known. In the early days of European settlement Totara was used extensively for house piles, house frames and for fence posts. Being resistant to teredo worm, it was also used in the piling of many early wharves.
To the Maori people the Totara was a symbol of strength and goodness. From these trees they made their canoes and their carved whare whakairo, pataka and food boxes. The bark was used for thatching and for making storage vessels.

Artist Notes:
Davey is from Titahi Bay, Porirua, and is an educator as well as being an artist. His sculpture is based on what the inside of a crayfish looks like. Davey’s piece was initially burnt in a fire and he has kept this look on the back of the sculputure. He believes that although something as violent as a lighting strike can strike a growing tree, something good can come from it, something positive.