Gazing across the harbor, what secrets does this bronze figure hold? Right here before us stands the A Māori Figure in a Kaitaka Cloak. This statue isn’t just a piece of art. It’s a symbol of change, a testament to the evolving cultural landscape of Auckland in the 1960s. The A Māori Figure in a Kaitaka Cloak, created by Molly Macalister, was unveiled in 1967. It was a groundbreaking moment. Macalister became the first woman in New Zealand to receive a public art commission. The statue itself depicts a Māori chief, draped in a kaitaka, a prestigious cloak. This chief isn’t in a warrior’s stance. Instead, he holds a mere, a symbol of peace, by his side, his gaze fixed on the horizon. The creation of the A Māori Figure in a Kaitaka Cloak wasn’t without controversy. Many at the time advocated for a more stereotypical representation, a warrior in a fighting pose. Macalister’s vision, however, prevailed. She collaborated with the local Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei iwi, ensuring the statue’s authenticity and cultural significance. Originally placed near the Britomart Transport Centre, the A Māori Figure in a Kaitaka Cloak now stands proudly on Quay Street. This powerful bronze figure offers a quiet welcome to all who arrive in Auckland, a symbol of peace and a reminder of a pivotal moment in New Zealand’s artistic history.
A Māori Figure in a Kaitaka Cloak Statue
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