The Heavy Metal Company

11/06/2026

Another couple of stunning bronze sculptures despatched today - here’s a sneak peek of the gorgeous recessed kowhaiwhai design

21/05/2026

Kia ora whānau ... as some of you know we've spent the last 2 years crafting the Tauihu and Taurapa bronze sculptures for Te Ara o Tupua Hororangi - the walking and cycling link between Ngā Ūranga and Pito One.

The Tauihu and Taurapa were carved by Sam Hauwaho (Master Carver) and his team of carvers, and then sandcast in bronze by Brett Rangitaawa (Master Foundryman) and our team of metal artists at Heavy Metal. The significant merging of these 2 ancient traditions by master craftsmen to carve and cast the Taurapa and Tauihu, has created a truly spectacular historical record of the carver's intent as well as permanent cultural identity.

As a whānau business who whakapapa to Taranaki Whānui ki Te Upoko o Te Ika, we feel both privileged and incredibly proud to have been entrusted by Iwi Lead Design Len Hetet to translate Sam's phenomenally beautiful carvings into bronze.

The Tauihu is located on the bridge named Te Matarae o Wharepouri (the Forefront of Wharepouri). The Tauihu represents the distinct, highly carved prow at the front of a waka. The waka starts at Ngā Ūranga and ends at the Honiana Te Puni Reserve. Te Wharepouri stands at the prow of the waka looking out towards Matiu.

The Taurapa has been named Te Kaiurungi o Te Puni (the helmsmanship of Te Puni), and is located at Honiana Te Puni Reserve, connecting Ngā Ūranga with Pito One; and Te Wharepouri with his cousin Te Puni. Honiana Te Puni is represented on the Taurapa as a figure.

The names given to these taonga uphold the traditions and narratives of Te Whanganui a Tara, and were gifted by Te Āti Awa Rangatira Kura Moeahu.

Credits:
Iwi Lead Design - Len Hetet
Carving - Sam Hauwaho, Glenn Hauraki, Rakai Rewharewha, Ben Jolley, Nui Stretch, Sonny Davis
Photography - Paula Hohaia

Heavy Metal Team with Te Wharepouri (L-R standing) Matthew Clarke (Walter), Jett Rangitaawa, Courteney Bradley-Fox, Leo Semau, Les Wick, Jen Waterson. (L-R sitting) Brett Rangitaawa, Danny Levi.

04/11/2025

A bitter sweet day for us as we farewell our wonderful mate Dougal (Bruce) Speir … an all round top kiwi bloke and legendary blues musician who fronted many gigs at the foundry … it’s not going to be the same without you Doogz … we’ll cherish the many memories we have of you always. Free now mate - we love you Doogz ❤️

06/11/2023

Cleaning the gallery out today and came across this pic of Finese Tapusoa - one of our original crew - an incredibly skilled foundryman and a beautiful soul - we miss you Finese 💕☀️💕☀️💕

06/09/2023

BRONZE PLAQUES

Deal direct with the foundry and save. We design, manufacture and install meticulously hand crafted bronze plaques

Contact us today

https://heavymetal.net.nz/

15/03/2023

Tēnā koutou katoa

WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE BEAUTIFULLY DESIGNED AND CRAFTED MĀORI & PACIFICA ARCHITECTURAL HARDWARE IN OUR BUILT SPACES?

Heavy Metal has submitted a proposal to the Manatū Taonga Cultural Sector Regeneration Fund to collaborate with Māori and Pasifika artists and designers to design and produce a range of cast metal architectural elements for inclusion in built spaces around Aotearoa.

As part of the evaluation process, Manatū Taonga is interested to hear from the people that are intended to benefit from each proposal. Anyone can give feedback by completing the following short survey:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/XH28RVK

If you think you may benefit from our proposal, we would appreciate your feedback. Feedback is due before the 19th March 2023. You may also like to give feedback on some of the other proposals being considered. A full list of proposals is available on the Manatū Taonga website.

If you need more information about the feedback process, you can read more on the Manatū Taonga website.

Ngā mihi

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09/12/2022

We recently completed this beautiful bronze restoration of these Paul Dibble sculptures .. Check out these before and afters

21/09/2022

Lower Hutt's newest parking warden 😉