The installation carries a powerful message of decolonising introduced perspectives on sexual diversity in New Zealand and pushing back at anti-LGBTQA+ sentiment, while embracing equality and normalization. 

 

The concept brief for the installation took nearly four months to complete. Tūmatauenga, the Māori God of War, was incorporated because “he embodies the chaos and struggle faced by Takatāpui every day,” Alex explains.  “I see this kaupapa as having a positive impact on our younger generation and those to come within the LGBTQIA+ community."

 

Associate Professor Byron Rangiwai, Ngā Wai a Te Tūī: Māori & Indigenous Research Centre, Te Whare Wānanga o Wairaka – Unitec, describes Alex’s work as “a profound act of resistance and reclamation, challenging the colonial imposition of rigid gender binaries. In a context where being a member of the Rainbow community can be challenging, Alex has bravely declared his position, using Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland's Harbour Bridge as his canvas—a powerful and visible statement of pride and resilience.”

 

Dr Rangiwai says there are many examples throughout history where indigenous societies have recognised diverse gender identities long before colonial disruption. 

 

“This work is more than an artistic statement—it is a call to action, a reclamation of space, and a reassertion of Indigenous sovereignty over identity. Alex’s work is vital, ensuring that future generations of Takatāpui and other Indigenous gender-diverse peoples can stand in their truth with dignity and mana,” says Dr Rangiwai. 

 

Alex is in the final year of a Master of Creative Practice (MCP) at Unitec. As a multi-disciplinary artist, his practice emphasises themes of connection and whakapapa. "I weave the histories of my iwi and my identity as Takatāpui into my work, using natural materials such as fibres, foliage, and bark.”

 

Unitec post-graduate studies discipline leader, Dr Becca Wood says that within the MCP, “Alex has been able to delve into ways in which his identity as a Māori artist of the Rainbow Community can be an integral part of the language he is exploring within his arts practice.”

 

Previously, Alex studied at another provider, but felt it wasn't the right fit. “The large crowds weren’t my thing, and I didn’t get the one-on-one attention I wanted. Here at Unitec, I really appreciate being able to see my supervisors regularly, which makes a big difference. One of the things I love about Unitec is the strong presence of Māori and Pacific Island students and tutors, which has made me feel at home.”

 

During Pride Month, Alex has held a Queer Creative Residency with the Ellen Melville Centre in Auckland. As the selected artist, Alex was given an opportunity to transform the Marilyn Waring Room into a vibrant hub of artistic exploration, public engagement and cultural celebration. This initiative fosters inclusivity, amplifies queer voices, and is supported by the Auckland Council.