Tauranga light and sound installation enhances waterfront

The sound of a traditional waiata increases in volume as the first summer swimmers jump off the pier at the Tauranga Waterfront.

The waves created by the swimmers trigger a sensor on the pontoon, and lights wash over the pier.

A new and permanent installation titled Wash was trialled on Thursday as part of the final stage of the Heart of the City waterfront project.

The minds and vision behind the installation were artist and lighting designer Marcus McShane and composer and sound designer Chris Winter.

The idea came to McShane four years ago and he said it was the first of its kind.

"Everything has been made from scratch... and now we can see how the installation works in this environment," McShane said as he looked over the pier.

The inspiration for the display loosely came from wanting to project the form of a wave on to a wall, but the idea was taken even further.

"The idea is that the sensor picks up the movement of the waves and the light and sound wash through the pier and fade out to the city."

Winter said he was excited to see the installation come to life on the Tauranga Waterfront.

The pair are based in Wellington and Winter said Tauranga was the perfect location for the display.

"We wanted to incorporate something into the fabric of the city... the relationship with the land and water is very interesting," Winter said.

Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Otepou students hear their waiata play out over the water for the first time. Photo/ Supplied

Students from Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Otepou in Welcome Bay pre-recorded waiata and haka for the installation in October this year.

The students aged 9-13 were practising for the National Primary School Kapa Haka competition which was held earlier this month.

Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Otepou teacher Hineteroa Dickson watched her students' faces light up as they heard their waiata play for the first time.

"The kids should be proud of themselves, I'm so proud of them," she said.

Dickson said she was pleased to see Maori culture on display for the community.

"It's great to see the council support our unique culture in this way," Dickson said.

The project cost the Tauranga City Council $118,000, which included materials, installation and the artists' time.

City transformation committee chair Larry Baldock said the installation would be an added attraction to the city centre and a drawcard to the waterfront in the evening.

"It will be great to see the crowds come down here in the summer and make use of our waterfront."

Baldock said people's interaction with the water was important for Tauranga.

"People love coming here and living here, the Harbour is a part of who we are."

Wash

What - A light and sound installation triggered by wave movement
Where - At the pier next to the Tidal Steps
When - It is a permanent feature which starts from Friday, November 24
Why - It is part of Heart of the City waterfront project