Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington Harbour print
This is a view of Te Whanganui-a-Tara, Wellington Harbour, looking across to Matiu Somes Island from the train to the city.
Te Whanganui-a-Tara was discovered by Kupe about 1,000 years ago. He named Matiu Island after his niece. Joseph Somes, a later namee, was part of the New Zealand Company.
Legend says that in ancient times the harbour used to be a lake where two taniwha lived. Ngake was energetic and intense, and Whātaitai was slow and gentle.
Ngake could hear the waves out in Raukawa Moana Cook Strait beyond the hills and grew frustrated at being trapped inside the lake basin. He decided to escape. He threw himself at great speed at the southern cliffs and burst through to open ocean. He was never seen again.
Whātaitai tried to follow him but was too slow and got stuck. He lived between the lake and the ocean for many years until a huge earthquake thrust him up out of the water and he died. His soul transformed into a bird, Te Keo, and flew to Matairangi Mount Victoria and cried for him. Over time, Whātaitai’s body turned to rock and earth and became the area we call Hātaitai, just out of view of this painting.
Product information
Signed copy of original gouache painting. Printed on acid-free, archival quality, 100% cotton fibre, 260 gsm, velvet fine art paper. The ink should last for decades if hung out of direct sunlight. The size is the size of the paper, it will fit an A3 frame. There is a white border around the image to allow for signing and framing.
Returns and refunds
If you’re unhappy with your print, return it within 14 days of delivery in undamaged condition and I will refund the purchase price less the cost of postage.
Packaging and postage
Prints are packed flat in sturdy cardboard and sent via New Zealand Post.
