Artwork Information

On the morning of 4 December 1863, the brigantine Delaware was wrecked on the rocks at Whakapuaka, near Nelson. Together with two male companions, Huria Matenga Ngaronoa swam out through thunderous seas and succeeded in securing a rope to the ship. When the line broke Huria again swam out to the ship, thereby earning her reputation as a beloved heroine and the 'Grace Darling' of New Zealand. Wearing a korowai of native bird feathers of the kaka; the blue-black feathers of the tui, and the white breast feathers from the kereru, Huria gathers her ancestors’ heart-song around her.