For centuries, native coastal plants played a key role in stabilising sand dunes around the country. One such plant, endemic to Aotearoa, is pīngao (Ficina; golden sand sedge). It traps wind-blown sand amongst its leaves and roots, and in Canterbury, helped to build up New Brighton beach.

By the late 19th century, however, land clearance and over-grazing had degraded the New Brighton dunes. Englishman Augustus Florance (Junior) imported marram grass and lupins and encouraged planting to keep the sand at the beach. In a familiar pattern, the imported solution proved too successful and outcompeted native plants. Pīngao was all but lost.

South New Brighton resident and artist Kulimoe’anga Stone Maka has wanted to tell the local history of pīngao through art for over ten years. This work is an abstraction from the shape of a pīngao seed pod. It is also a metaphor for the artist’s personal and socio-cultural experiences, and the existential threat of climate change to beachside communities and ecosystems.

SCAPE has been experimenting with materials and fabrication techniques to produce several of Stone’s monumental sculptural forms for permanent display. The artwork on display in Season 2024 is made from layered polyurethane, plywood, and fibreglass, and is half the size of the planned permanent form. Special thanks to the 72 generous donors to a Boost Ōtautahi crowdfunding campaign, who have helped make the work to date possible.

These days, Christchurch City Council and community volunteers are replanting pīngao and other native plants to protect the dunes and restore coastal ecosystems. You can help by joining SCAPE Public Art for a beach clean-up at South Brighton on Sunday 26 January 2025. Follow @scapepublicart for details.

“Stunning pīkao stands would once have been found on almost every sandy beach, from Northland to Rakiura (Stewart Island) and the Chatham Islands. Today only a few remnant populations remain.”
Source: Department of Conservation