Suspended among the trees, Te Kāhui Tieke transforms the canopy into a constellation of sculptural lanterns. Each illuminated form represents the tīeke (saddleback), a rare and treasured native bird, once abundant but now seen only in sanctuaries.

Crafted from metal and lit from within, the lanterns evoke both the fragility and strength of our native taonga. Like stars in the night sky, they shine as guardians — guiding us to reflect on our relationship with the natural world and the importance of protecting it.

This installation is a tribute to the interconnectedness of species, light, and place — where art, ecology, and community meet beneath the trees of Whakatāne.