Haumaru mural tells the story of Motupae

The island, Motuopae, sits to the west of the University of Waikato Haumaru Sport & Recreation Centre, in Waikareao Estuary, and is the site of a Ngāi Tamarāwaho urupā (burial ground). Known to many pākehā as Peach Island, Motuopae was once home to the Ngāi Tamarāwaho ancestor Kinotaraia and, later, his descendant Tuaurutapu. 

Seeling is a contemporary Māori designer and artist. This artwork features the puwhenua design, which illustrates Tauranga Moana’s link to the Tākitimu waka (voyaging canoe). The waka brought the progenitors of the Ngāti Ranginui iwi [tribe] to Aotearoa New Zealand. Seeling used a restrained palette but incorporated two red stripes to acknowledge the history of this building as a former outlet of discount retailer The Warehouse.  

The work, which spans the entranceway of the Haumaru Sport & Rec Centre, is made of digitally-printed vinyl, mounted on sign-writing aluminium composite panel board. It was manufactured and installed for the opening of the building in 2025.