Te Arawa korowai offers new take on police history

The new Rotorua Police Station is getting its artistic 'cloak' installed. Photo/Stephen Parker

The intricately designed carvings for the outside of the Rotorua police station will have a special meaning for locals.

The carvings, which are currently being installed, create a korowai on the new $18 million Fenton St building and reflect Te Arawa. The 84m screen has been designed by renowned carver Lyonel Grant.

The architects originally took the shape of the screen from various forms of taonga, such as the kite (manu tukutuku), which resembles a bird with outstretched wings, the traditional canoe bailer (tata/tiheru) and the lintel (pare).

"When the preliminary drafts of the building were presented to the police representatives, however, it was their identification of the shape as belonging to a korowai, the Maori ceremonial cloak that was the most compelling," said Leuschke Group Architects in its description of the building.

"Just as a korowai drapes and protects its wearer, so too the screen drapes and protects the building, just as in turn, the police protect the community.

"Traditionally these prestigious cloaks would tell the story of its wearer; the family history would be woven into the pattern. Different feathers would represent different generations. This is exactly what Te Arawa wanted with this korowai."

This korowai is laser cut, powder coated aluminium.

The design is a blend of organic and geometric forms taken from Maori heritage that conjure up the image of protection.

Mr Grant etched a taniko pattern as a graphic background - a geometric weaving used at the hem of a cloak. This geometric element contrasts with the fluid forms he designed of the moko tiaki (protective lizard form), which is a motif featured throughout Arawa mythology.

"He saw the carving as an opportunity to 'create an iconic feature for the modern city of Rotorua that will endure for years to come'. Again the concept of protection is incorporated into the architecture."

Police are due to move into the new station from temporary accommodation in May and the station will be officially opened in June.