The story of the shape, biodiversity and water quality of the Tamaki Estuary starts far beyond the confines of it’s brackish waters. This work explores the origins of the fresh waters that feed the basin, and the impact that deforestation throughout their reaches has had on the health and bidiversity of the estuary itself. A play between horizontal and vertical axes sees conduit forms become layers of sediment. Once rich with the organic matter from a variety of native fauna, upper layers of sediment deposited in the estuary become abruptly barren following rapid deforestation and subsequent urban development.

Expressing connections between the seen and the unseen, the use of fibre grounds the work in the physicality of both it’s origins and the process of it’s production. It also references the agriculture that initially replaced vast areas of cleared bush above the Tamaki basin. Using a repeated circle motif I express hope and call out for renewal that will touch all parts of the ecosystem, returning balance.