Ko te manu e kai ana i te miro, nōna te ngahere.
Ko te manu e kai ana i te mātauranga, nōna te Ao.
The bird who feeds on miro has the forest.
The bird who feeds on knowledge has the world.
Maia Whiterod attended the opening of Te Matapihi ki te Ao Nui in her role as Tumuaki Tēina for Te Rōpū Whakahau and shares her experience with us of this special day.
I was lucky to attend the opening of Te Matapihi ki te Ao Nui on behalf of Te Rōpū Whakahau, and wow — what an experience! After seven years, Wellington’s central library is alive again, and it’s so much more than a building. It’s a whare of knowledge, culture, and connection.
The name says it all: “a window to the wider world.” Everywhere you look, te Ao Māori is present — in the architecture, the patterns, and the storytelling. The stunning artwork, Rawa, at the heart of the library, flows through the space, reminding us that learning is layered, living, and connected.
The opening was magical. Lead by mana whenua guiding tikanga, the ceremonies featured waiata, taonga pūoro, and orchestral music that danced through the space, perfectly enhanced by the library’s bespoke acoustics. You could feel the wairua of everyone — it was an experience for all senses.
Inside, there’s something for everyone: archives, makerspaces, creative hubs, and spaces for tamariki, rangatahi, and whānau to explore, create, and connect. Te Matapihi shows how knowledge can be fun, immersive, and most importantly inclusive.
Queues wove around Te Ngākau Civic Square, and the CBD was buzzing— not just with people, but with a sense of belonging and community.
Being there on behalf of Te Rōpū Whakahau made me proud to see Indigenous values shaping public spaces. Te Matapihi ki te Ao Nui isn’t just a library — it’s a window to possibility, culture, and connection.
The doors are open, and the world is waiting.
Image of ceramic artist Bryony Puketapu (Te Ātiawa ki te Upoko o te Ika, Rarotonga ki Kūki ‘Airani) beside her work
Wai Whakanoa Te Punga o Ngake, 2026 (Stoneware, 24k gold)
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