Name: Pania of the Reef

Occupation: Legend
Pania of the Reef is a well-known statue from Māori mythology. She lives on the Napier waterfront.

How old are you?
From Oliver

I am fifty two years old, I came here in 1954.

Hi Pania, What are you made of?
Brock

I am cast out of bronze and sit on a limestone base.

Hey Pania, I’ve always wanted to know how were you made?
From Hannah

I was first formed in clay from a photograph of Mei Robin (now Mei Whaitiri), who was 15 at the time. A mould was made of the clay figure and then I was cast in bronze in Italy.

Where did you get your name from?
From Madison

My name comes from the reef just off Napier harbour. There is a legend about a sea maiden called Pania who lived on the reef. She fell in love with a man who lived on land and they had a son called Moremore. Every morning Pania would return to her sea people, but her husband was afraid that one night she would not return with their son but stay with the sea people. He tried to keep Pania on land by placing cooked food next to her and their son while they were asleep but his plan didn’t work and she did go back to the sea people never to return. Her son, Moremore, became a rock and is one of the taniwha that guard the entrance to Napier harbour.

What are you thinking about Pania?
From Sheldon

I am thinking about my husband and my son and my sea people. I really miss them and wish I could return.

What are you looking at?
From Val

I love looking out to sea but I also love watching all the different types of people who come to see me. Some people stand by me to take photos, some people touch me and talk about how smooth and cool my skin is.

Kia ora Pania, can you tell us about the tiki that you are wearing?
From Ariki

The tiki I am wearing was from a tiki that belonged to the family of Mei Robin. They sent accurate drawings of it to the sculptor in Italy to make sure that it was just right.

Pania, we heard that you were stolen, what was it like to come back home?
From Kayla

I was amazed at how so many people were upset when I was taken. My welcome home was wonderful, they had karakia and lots of people came to make sure I was safe. It was like the ceremony I first had in 1954 to welcome me to this spot, it was nice to hear the Hukarere Māori Girls’ College choir singing for me once again.

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