Selwyn Muru in his workshop with the 'Waharoa' sculpture. Photo: New Zealand Herald
"He tai e! He tai e!
He tai e tangi ana i waho o Rehua,
He tai mihi tāngata, he tai mate!
Aue e kara Herewini!
Te reo poroporoiere o te ao pāpāoho,
Kua tūatia ki te moana o Rongo, Aue! Taukiri!"
Māori artist and broadcaster Selwyn Muru has died, peacefully surrounded by whānau.
The artist, from Ngāti Kuri and Te Aupouri, was 86 years old.
His life's work includes painting, sculpture, journalism, broadcasting, directing, acting, set design, theatre and poetry.
In 1990 Muru was awarded Te Waka Toi's Te Tohu mō Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu Award for his contributions to Māori visual art, broadcasting, journalism and whaikōrero.
His works focused on communicating Māori pūrakau, history and injustices. His Parihaka series of paintings tell the story of Māori passive resistance.
'Waharoa' at Aotea Square. Photo: RNZ
One of his best-known works was 'Waharoa', a 7m-high wooden gateway that stands in Aotea Square in Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland.
The aim behind 'Waharoa' was to welcome and embrace manuhiri to Aotea Square, Muru said at the time.
"I chose wood as a medium because it already has mauri (life force) of its own that would exude warmth in an environment dominated by steel, glass and stone."
Tangihanga arrangements are yet to be finalised.
