Ngāi Tahu artists create taonga for Christchurch’s first Supercars event

Local Ngāi Tahu artists have created a special taonga for Christchurch’s first Supercars event, weaving culture and the stories of Te Waipounamu into a landmark moment for the city.

The Repco Supercars Championship races into Christchurch this April, making its long‑awaited debut in Te Waipounamu, New Zealand’s South Island.

To honour this milestone, a specially crafted taonga will be presented to the winning drivers – a symbol carrying the stories, strength and traditions of the region's largest Iwi.

Who created the cultural taonga for Supercars?

A collaboration of local artists, the taonga was created by Ngāi Tahu master carver Fayne Robinson, Ōtautahi designer Hori Te Ariki Mataki and local artist Brent Brownlee.

Weaving traditional indigenous craft with modern influences, the trophies are a unique contribution of hosting the championship in Christchurch. With majority of the grid from Australia, the taonga intends to leave a piece of Te Waipounamu in their hands long after they return home.

Central to the design is the Pouākai—the giant Haast Eagle of Te Waipounamu. Believed to have hunted Moa, it carries mythological resonance for Ngāi Tahu and an unmistakable connection to the South Island.

“We've only ever heard that it existed at the time of the Moa. But it was the biggest eagle to ever exist on earth,” explains Hori.

“It's quite a unique animal to have had in our backyard.

“When we create our designs, it's important for us as Māori to reference the natural environment. And so a part of that is looking to the different animals and flora and fauna of the area.”

How Māori artists honour the stories of Ngāi Tahu

Hori says the Pouākai felt like a good fit for Supercars, because of its power and strength. But also because of the warning it offers – to protect.

“A lot of our traditions we base on acknowledging things that no longer exist. It’s around how we protect things that are still here, or how we can be wary of potential dangers. That was also a fitting element to the design as well, for the staff and for those driving the vehicles —how can you be cautious and wary to protect one another?”

“It's very important we reference and acknowledge our iwi Ngāi Tahu and our local hapū Ngāi Tūāhuriri, so each generation knows where they're from, to weave their stories and what they've gone through into what we do today, so we can practice it on a day-to-day basis.”

He hopes younger generations can hold onto that sense of belonging.

“It's part of seeing your mokopuna, your grandkids, and hoping that they can acknowledge where they're from, connect to the local environment, and to the people around them.”

Blending tradition with modern methods

Both Fayne and Hori work at the intersection of traditional Māori art and modern methods, a balance central to their practice.

Originally created for staff and volunteer t-shirts, Hori’s design was then taken by Fayne to adapt for the taonga.

“I took a different angle to the design. Hori was going into the future, where I sort of stripped it back, to go back to our roots a little, inspired by some of the old rock art in a more classical form,” explains Fayne.

“I think one of the main reasons for doing it was an acknowledgment of where we've come from. Hori had already captured where we're going, so it was really cool and sort of just a nice way to complement each other's art forms.”

Why is pounamu a special gift to receive?

A key element of Fayne’s contribution is a toki carved from pounamu (green stone), a gift that carries centuries of meaning for Ngāi Tahu. To be presented around the neck of the Pouākai, the pounamu will be a token the drivers can wear with pride, to remember this place and its people.

The specific stone Fayne worked with is a repatriated stone, once stolen and recently returned back to the iwi to be shared with the community.

As many Kiwis understand, the gifting of pounamu is very meaningful. Fayne explains that traditionally, pounamu was one of your best pieces, so to receive it as a gift is receiving something special of someone else. He describes it as “a way of honouring.”

“It was used in older days for not only practical work, for wood carving and the likes, but also as an adornment that was worn on the person. Not all materials you could do that with, so it shows the value of the stone.”

Leaving a mark for the next generation

Christchurch’s first Supercars event is a milestone for the city and the South Island. Through these trophies, it becomes something more – a moment where culture, craft and tradition meet.

Each piece carries the stories of Ngāi Tahu, the strength of the Pouākai, and the artistry of makers who honour both tradition and innovation. As they are lifted by drivers on race day, they will carry with them the mana of the place they stand.

Hori adds: “What I hope that Supercars brings to Christchurch, and all the other amazing events that are happening, is just a new place to discover, and to actually leave a mark here for my kids and our future generations to look back and just think – what a cool place to grow up."

The ITM Christchurch Super 440 will take place from April 17-19. Tickets for the event are on sale now.