By Dan Hutchinson
Reupene Wall, a Māori carver with deep roots in the Pūrāpoto region, has completed his first commissioned artwork — an intricately carved tōtara piece created for the new Te Rāhui solar farm east of Taupō.
Reupene has been working on the taonga for about eight months, drawing on traditional symbolism to connect the solar farm’s purpose with the land and people.
It is called Hine-Raumati & Hine-Takurua.
“Both sides represent Hineraumati and Hinetakurua, which are the Māori maidens for winter and summer.
“The solar farm harvests energy from the sun, and that’s what that represents.”
The designs within the taonga reflect the whenua and rohe (traditional territory) where the solar farm is located, including pungawerewere, or spider web, and kōwhaiwhai, a traditional pattern that represents the workers and people on site working safely together.
The project site is a 1,022ha former dairy farm located in Rangitāiki, southeast of Taupō.
It’s being completed in two stages, each involving the construction of a 200MW solar plant. Stage one is under construction, with most of the bases in the ground.
Stage two is consented but subject to board approval. Offtake will be shared 50-50 between Meridian and Nova.
The solar farm has already embraced the work beyond its physical form, incorporating two manaia heads from the carving into its official logo — something Wall says is pretty special to see.
“To see it around New Zealand and overseas, having my artwork displayed there — that’s pretty cool.”
Wall has previously worked on a waka alongside his mentor, Uncle Jim, at Wairakei Terraces, but this marks his first solo commissioned piece. It’s a milestone he hopes will open new doors.
“Hopefully it just opens up more doors to different types of mahi. It doesn’t have to be specifically tribal.”
His approach to carving is instinctive. Before picking up a tool, he studies each piece of wood carefully.
The Te Rāhui solar farm itself is nearing completion, with all bases installed and panels still to be fitted. Wall notes the project has also brought meaningful employment opportunities to the local community.
The taonga (artwork), was commissioned by Beon Energy Solutions, the construction contractor.
This story has also appeared in the Taupō and Tūrangi News: Artwork symbolises solar connections — Taupō & Tūrangi News | Local Central Plateau Taupo and Turangi News Source
