Wakatipu canoe sculpture

The Wakatipu Vessel is a large stainless steel sculpture shaped like a waka, or Māori canoe, perched on four central columns along the Lake Esplanade. Created by New Zealand artist Virginia King, the structure is flanked by six laser-cut columns that feature patterns of waka hoe, or canoe paddles, and European-style oars. At night, internal lights illuminate the vessel and the surrounding columns, casting patterns through the negative spaces carved into the steel.