On February 13, 2023 Cyclone Gabrielle tore through Muriwai Beach causing landslides and widespread destruction. Pou Hihiri (Muriwai commemorative sculpture) is a community artwork by Jeff Thomson, unveiled on March 23, 2025 to provide a shared space of reflection for all.

Over the past few months members Joss Hong, Chris Heelam and residents Erin Griffin, and Zane Gray have led community mosaic workshops at the Surf Club shed, using tiles from deconstructed homes. Thank you to everyone who participated! Additionally, heartfelt words from the Love Letters event post-cyclone are featured as voice patterns created by member artist Mette Hay. These beautiful mosaics and voice patterns now form part of Pou Hihiri, the Muriwai Commemorative Sculpture, created by Jeff Thomson.

The unveiling and naming ceremony took place on Sunday, 23 March, at the corner of Waitea and Motutara Roads. While the sculptures remain a work in progress—as home deconstructions continue—the event was an emotional, reflective, and celebratory moment for our community

Sculpture images curtesy Rory Thomson