Ko Hāta Maria, te Matua Wahine o te Atua

Our Lady of New Zealand – Holy Mary, Mother of God

In 2020 the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference commissioned Damien Walker, founder of the Studio of Saint Philomena, to create a new national image of Our Lady. The brief was bold yet simple: portray Mary in a way that binds Catholic tradition to the whenua of Aotearoa. The result is Ko Hāta Maria, te Matua Wahine o te Atua, an icon that now carries the title Our Lady of New Zealand.

Damien Walker on the Icon: “Mary is the bridge between Heaven and Earth. In this icon she unites tangata whenua and newcomers, past and future, land and sea – all held in the embrace of her Son.”

A Vision of Unity

Mary stands robed in ocean-blue and pukeko-feather hues, edged with poutama weaving that speaks of the ascent to heavenly knowledge. A koru-shaped fleur-de-lis links French missionary roots to Māori symbolism, while a twelve-pronged silver fern in her hand honours the Apostles. At her feet lie four whare rūnanga:

1. St Peter’s Basilica, Rome

2. Fourvière, Lyon – cradle of the first Marist missionaries

3. Te Tii, Waitangi – where Bishop Pompallier defended Māori religious freedom

4. Motuti, Hokianga – resting place of Pompallier himself

Each element proclaims kotahitanga (unity): one Church, many peoples, one faith.

From Rededication to Hīkoi

The icon was unveiled in Wellington on 15 August 2021 as part of the rededication of Aotearoa to Mary, Mother of God, Assumed into Heaven. Immediately afterwards it embarked on Te Hīkoi Wairua, The Spiritual Pilgrimage of Te Ara a Maria, travelling the length of the six dioceses and drawing thousands into prayer.

Visit & Learn More

The icon is now accessible daily at St Mary of the Angels, Boulcott Street, Wellington. To delve deeper into its rich symbolism, view the artist-guide video and PDF on the official Te Ara a Maria site.