David Maruariki
David Maruariki is a traditional wood carver from Rarotonga, learning the craft in his homeland as a young man. His practice is grounded in research, kōrero, and cultural knowledge, and he has contributed to Vaka building projects in Hawai‘i, Tahiti, and the Cook Islands, as well as artworks for community centres and schools across Aotearoa. David holds a Bachelor of Arts in Whakairo from Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, and lives and works in Auckland.
David Maruariki’s Tiare Pacific Archway is a floral expression inspired by the beauty and cultural significance of the Pacific. A repeating, well-known Pacific flower geometric pattern is applied to every facet of the wooden structure, creating new and changing patterns from every angle. The archway is designed to bring people together for ceremonies, photographs, and shared moments, while becoming part of an active flowering garden in the heartland of South Auckland’s Pacific community. Pacific patterns are deeply connected to everyday life, drawing inspiration from familiar elements such as flowers, stars, nature, and the world around us. It is hoped that children will walk around the posts, discovering and showing each other new patterns as they move through the space. Tiare Pacific Archway celebrates this connection through a structure that is both welcoming and interactive.