Horotiu

Graham Tipene (Ngāti Whātua, Ngāti Kahu, Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Hauā, Ngāti Manu) and Paraone Luiten-Apirana (Ngāti Hikairo, Ngāi Tūhoe, Te Arawa).

Overhead within the Wellesley Street entrance are over 4,000 golden rods, representing raupō (bulrush reeds) growing in Waihorotiu Stream. Within the reeds rests Horotiu, kaitiaki (guardian or spirit protector) of the area. Horotiu takes the form of a sea‑serpent and is carved from kauri.

This threshold element references Te Waihorotiu, the stream that once flowed along the path of Queen Street down to the Waitematā Harbour.

As people walk beneath, the rods appear to move, as if with the flow of water. Small lights resemble starlight and moonlight on the water’s surface. From outside the building, a blue pattern is visible across the rods, representing the flow of water.

The rods are made of aluminium.

Tucked into the bed of reeds is a kauri whakairo (carving) crafted by Paraone Luiten‑Apirana, with guidance from Graham Tipene. The carving represents Horotiu, a sea‑serpent‑like kaitiaki who supports the people and brings life and energy to the area.

Horotiu was carved using a blended approach of both power and hand tools.

Kāpia (kauri gum) is used in the carving, forming the toenails of Horotiu. The carving is also finished with a homemade kauri varnish made from kauri gum, linseed oil, beeswax and turpentine.

The kauri tree is therefore honoured in three different ways, through the carving itself, the kauri gum and the kauri varnish.

During a journey to Northland undertaken to select the timber, a ten‑cent coin unexpectedly fell to the ground as the material was being examined. Graham interpreted this moment as a sign and challenged Paraone to incorporate the coin into the carving.

If you look closely, a small recess within the mouth reveals the placement of the ten‑cent coin.

Horotiu faces east, offering a warm haere mai (welcome) to those arriving and a gentle haere rā (farewell) to those leaving the station.

What does the threshold element mean? Discover how the threshold element welcomes people into Te Waihorotiu Station.

Matariki skylights

Seven skylights in Te Waihorotiu Station represent the whetū (stars) of Matariki. Matariki is the Māori name for the Pleiades, or Seven Sisters, star cluster. When Matariki rises in the winter sky above Aotearoa, it signals the Māori New Year.

One story describes the stars as a mother, Matariki, and her 6 daughters: Tupu-ā-nuku, Tupu-ā-rangi, Waipuna-ā-rangi, Waitī, Waitā and Ururangi. Two other stars in the Matariki cluster are Pōhutukawa and Hiwa‑i‑te‑rangi.

During the day, the skylights bring natural light into the station. At night, they offer glimpses of the sky and the stars above. The star cluster can be seen from many places around the world.

At street level, the skylights are linked by garden beds that form a centre strip along Albert Street.

Te pūhoro me te mangōpare

Graham Tipene (Ngāti Whātua, Ngāti Kahu, Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Hauā, Ngāti Manu).

Imprinted on dark panels above train platform level, this traditional kōwhaiwhai pattern symbolises movement, strength and endurance. The design includes forms of pūhoro (curved shapes representing flowing water) and mangōpare (the hammerhead shark, representing strength).

The pūhoro form shows the wake of a waka (canoe), reflecting the movement of water and the Waihorotiu Stream, which flows underground near the station.

The mangōpare form is associated with strength and resilience and speaks to the ability of people to navigate challenges.

Together, the patterns create a visual rhythm above the platform, linking water movement with human strength as passengers move through the station.

Raupō

Four concrete crossbeams stitch together the concourse level of Te Waihorotiu Station, suspended above the platform below.

The crossbeams are shaped to resemble raupō (bulrush reeds) being woven together, reflecting traditional weaving methods used to make food baskets.

The crossbeams help visually link different areas of the station while reinforcing the idea of connection, movement and coming together.

Whakarare

Graham Tipene (Ngāti Whātua, Ngāti Kahu, Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Hauā, Ngāti Manu).

The Victoria Street entrance ceiling features a whakarare pattern, representing people moving and mingling through change and disruption. The pattern wraps around from the inside to both exterior entrances.

Three light features each represent a different strand of the station’s design story.

One light uses a poutama pattern with stepped forms. This pattern is associated with learning, knowledge and enlightenment. Diagonal lines within the steps represent the journey toward these goals.

Another light includes a figure that resembles a mythical sea‑serpent. This figure is a kaitiaki, or guardian, who watches over those passing through the space.

The third light features spiral‑like curves in a pūhoro pattern. Pūhoro refers to the wake of a waka (canoe) and reflects the movement of water. This pattern refers to the Waihorotiu Stream, which once flowed openly through the area and now runs buried below Queen Street.

Te Hā o Mataaoho

Dr. Johnson Witehira (Tamahaki, Ngāti Hinekura, Ngāi Tū‑te‑auru).

The design of this ventilation shaft reflects the irregular geometry of volcanic rock. It draws from Mataaoho, atua of volcanoes.

Air that moves between Te Waihorotiu Station below and the street above represents the breath of Mataaoho – Te Hā o Mataaoho.

The structure is made from a dark concrete core wrapped in a perforated aluminium skin. Its surface pattern takes cues from taonga pūoro, traditional Māori instruments activated by hau (wind).

Like these instruments, the vent gives form to te hā, the breath, suggesting the structure itself as a kind of vessel through which Mataaoho exhales.

At night, the surface subtly illuminates, revealing the presence of Mataaoho within the pattern.

Located on Kingston Street, the vent plays a functional role in circulating fresh air through the underground station, while expressing a layered relationship between atua, whenua and modern infrastructure.

Where would you go?

In 2020, during construction of Te Waihorotiu Station, children from across Aotearoa were asked, “Where would you go if the City Rail Link tunnels could take you anywhere?”

Over 3,000 of their ideas and imaginations are printed as permanent artwork in the station.