VCC Rally 2012 Artwork Description

The design includes elements from traditional Maori design and aspects of both art deco and modern styles. The stylised Manaia (ancient birds) and flowing water honour the history, tradition and mana of the Whanganui River and its people. The abbreviated form of New Zealand swirls in a rapid of this majestic river, known since European settlement as the Danube of the South.

The beautiful flora of the region is represented by Koru (fern) and Harakeke (flax). Harakeke is represented by the variety Kohunga, which has manifold applications particularly as a binding cord in the construction of traditional water transport Waka (canoe).

The native fern is first represented here in Koru developing out of the wheel of the vehicle at the top of the design. Koru is an unfurling fern frond which symbolises new life, growth, strength and peace to Maori. Ika (fish) is depicted in a variety of stylised forms.

Shown at the foot of the design is Hei matau (fish hook), traditionally crafted from whale bone and used by Maori to obtain Kai moana (food from the sea). Hei matau sits over the turbulent waters at the confluence of the two sacred waters, the Whanganui River and the Tasman Sea (Te Moana Tapokopoko a Tawhaki).

Hei matau is particularly significant as Maori legend tells us that the northern island of Aotearoa was once a huge fish caught by the great mariner Maui. It is said that Maui and his brothers were fishing from their Waka (the South Island) when Maui caught a huge fish and pulled it from the sea. His brothers fought over the fish and chopped it up leading to the belief that their hacking at the fish created the mountains, valleys and islands. The indigenous name for the North Island is Te Ika-a-Maui (the fish of Maui) and the South Island, Te Waka-a-Maui (Maui’s canoe) but alternatively and more commonly it is known as Te Wai Pounamu (water of greenstone).

Rising out of Hei matau is the more familiar silver fern, the national emblem of New Zealand, Kaponga or Ponga. Hei matau and Kaponga give hint to the motor cycle which has long been associated with the development of motor transport in New Zealand.

The year of the rally is stepped out from the start of the millennium to indicate the progression of time. The millennium ‘ 2 ‘ features Manaia and Ika while the foremost ‘ 2 ‘ forms a stylised swan overlaying the wheel of the vehicle in the centre of the design, acknowledging the species’ contribution to the beauty of Wanganui’s Virginia Lake. The host city name Wanganui in stylised form holds the design together in its vertical position at the left of the design.

Barry Thomson QSM