Transcript
Instead of fragrant flowers and fresh leaves, the 20-metre long ei now adorning the town hall in downtown Auckland is made of the bright blue plastic strapping used to bind boxes.
The Pacifica Mamas, who created it, call it the Rakei Note Moana Nui O Kiva meaning "adornment of the deep blue sea".
The director of the Pacifica Arts Centre, Jarcinda Stowers-Ama, a mama herself, says it's a joint venture between the mamas, the community and the Auckland City Council.
"The real kaupapa or the idea behind it was to create a piece of work - create a very large scale art installation that looked at the stories of the people that live in Auckland. But also looked at the land, looked at the sea - looked at issues like climate change that we're facing at the moment."
The Pacifica Mamas group has been around for about thirty years - women of Polynesian heritage sharing their art, knowledge and skills with the community.
The weavers, carvers, tapa artists and orators often run workshops and exhibitions.
"But what's special about the Ei is the Mamas decided to use materials that were sitting in our landfills in West Auckland. So it's completely made out of recycled plastic, recycled strapping, recycled rope collected over a 12-month period."
More than 300 young people, including children, helped to create the ei.
Ms Stowers-Ama says it reflects the Pacific islanders' resourcefulness.
"So from this project it's really started conversation about the step forward and how we can use creative solutions to help with our waste problem that we have at the moment."
Reina Sutton is Auckland Council's arts & culture programmer and she has praised the mamas for repurposing things which would otherwise end up in the tip.
"And turning it into something that's really beautiful and really meaningful is a real testament to the Mamas and their kopapa and what they're doing in terms of thinking about future generations and passing on knowledge and trying to make sure that there is a better environment for the kids when they grow up and pass that on."
Ms Sutton says the council is keen to explore more environmental projects with Pacific communities.
"Especially when you think about how we grew up in the islands, how we're using materials from Mother Earth and how that was just naturally broken down, back into this natural cycle that happens. It's affecting our people back home."
The ei will be up in downtown Auckland until June 9.
The Pacifica Mamas say they will repurpose it - maybe turn it into another creation.