At Te Tōpūnga Hapori I Daly Street you’ll find Te Awa ki te Moana Labyrinth, where you can follow the arrows for a playful meditative journey across the seas, inspired by the many cultures of the Pacific Islands.
Te Awa ki te Moana Labyrinth was designed by artist Struan Ashby in collaboration with the community. The design was hand-painted during April 2025 by Ashby with help from his whānau.
Struan and his partner Erica Duthie installed their first temporary labyrinth in the atrium of the Wellington Railway Station 12 years ago.
We’ve been hooked ever since!” says Struan. “Our labyrinth designs have now been installed all over Aotearoa, and we’ve even presented our innovative work to the World Labyrinth Society during Covid to much interest.”
Te Awa ki te Moana Labyrinth grew from discussions Struan had with local groups that call Daly Street home, particularly Kupega o Moana (formerly NET) and Living Plus MASH Trust, who were excited for the opportunity to have Pacifica arts and design represented in this form right in their neighbourhood.
Kupega o Moana have been helping mums in Te Awakairangi ki Tai Lower Hutt for over 32 years and were grateful for the opportunity to support the Daly Street project through sharing ideas with Struan on the labyrinth.
“We were also honoured to gift the name ‘Te Awa ki te Moana’, which depicts the idea of “the river to the sea” that binds us all globally” says Joy Sipeli, Executive Director at Kupega o Moana.
“Our team are located a pebble’s throw away from the Daly Street site – a space we will surely enjoy. Fakaaue lahi Struan for consulting our team, and fakafetai to the team from Council for all the hard work you have done to make our spaces for tama ikiiki awesome.”
Te Awa ki te Moana labyrinth pays respect to the people and cultures of the Pacific through a playful design that evokes a journey across the Pacific, navigating by the stars.
Some of the elements you’ll find in the design:
- The sea turtle is a powerful symbol of longevity, peace, unity, family, strength and fertility. They are great travellers, always able to find their way home.
- The fish hook is a symbol of good luck, strength, prosperity and safe travel.
- Manta rays are ‘birds of the sea’, seen as spirit guardians, navigators, and messengers. They are also emotionally aware and known for their grace, freedom and wisdom.
- Whales are treasured and good omens signifying abundance and resilience.
- The entry and exit are flanked by coconut trees, known as ‘the tree of life’. A vital supply for food and resources from the nuts, the husk and the leaves. It also represents generosity, resilience, adaptability and survival against the odds. The coconut crab is also known for its adaptability and resilience.
- The leaf and floral patterns are influenced by tapa/siapo/hiapo patterns, most notably with references to pandanus leaves and blooms and frangipani flowers.
- The jagged shark tooth pattern is seen throughout - although triangular patterns can represent a multitude of things, including mountains or shells.
