Māori artwork on flyover Mahi toi i runga Rā Hihi
The designs on Rā Hihi reflect the area's cultural history and importance, and help to create a sense of welcome for people who travel through East Auckland.
Ka whakaata ngā hoahoa o runga o Rā Hihi i ngā kōrero tuku iho, i te tāpua hoki o te ahurea o te rohe, ā, ka āwhina hoki i te āhua e rongo ai te hunga e hāereere ana mā Tāmaki ki te Rāwhiti i te rāhiritanga.
Kāhui tara
Kāhui tara or a flock of tern represent a gathering of chiefs and navigation. The design has been inspired by the nearby nesting site for tara or tern and this mahi toi (artwork) will be on the main barriers of Rā Hihi.
Ko te kāhui tara e whakaatu ana i te huinga o ngā rangatira, i te pōkaitanga hoki. He mea whakaaweawe te hoahoa nā te wāhi kei reira ngā kōhanga o ngā tara, ka mutu, ka tū tēnei mahi toi ki ngā tauārai matua o Rā Hihi.
Akura
On the pier design of Rā Hihi above Reeves Road are akura, which are inward woven funnels leading to the entrance of hīnaki or eel traps.
Kei te hoahoa tauranga poti o Rā Hihi, i runga o te Huarahi o Reeves, ētahi akura, arā, he pūarero kua rarangatia, ā, e ahu whakaroto ana ki te waha o te hīnaki.
Hīnaki
On the bridge abutments and retaining walls of are pairs of eels swimming below the moon towards the underside of the structure.
Kei te kāpīpititanga o te arawhiti, kei ngā pātū tāwhi hoki, ētahi tuna punarua e kau atu ana i raro i te marama ki raro iho i te hanganga.
Rā Hihi or sun's rays is the name of the flyover being built above Reeves Road in Pakūranga. It will help to provide quick and reliable travel in the area and is planned to open in 2026.
Ko Rā Hihi te ingoa o te ara tāwhai e whakatūria ana ki runga ake o te Huarahi o Reeves i Pakūranga. Mā reira e tere ake ai, e horopū ake ai hoki te hāereere i te rohe, ka mutu, i tōna tikanga, ka whakawāteangia ā te tau 2026.
Artist profile
The artwork of Reuben Kirkwood (Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki) can be found throughout Tāmaki Makarau / Auckland and he has led the design of the mahi toi (artwork) that features across the Eastern Busway project. He has been designing mahi toi for transport and community spaces for several decades.
Kitea ai ngā mahi toi a Reuben Kirkwood (Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki) puta noa i Tāmaki Makaurau, ka mutu, nāna i ārahi te hoahoatanga o ngā mahi toi e tū ana i te whānuitanga o te kaupapa mahi mō Eastern Busway. Kua hia tekau tau ia e hoahoa mahi toi ana mō ngā wāhi tūnuku, mō ngā wāhi hapori hoki.