Maunga by Shane Cotton

Come marvel at the stunning Maunga artwork by Shane Cotton in the heart of Britomart!

  • Words by Jenn Berthier
  • Last updated 11 Jun 2025

Created by the talented artist Shane Cotton, this magnificent five-storey high permanent artwork can be found on the corner of Customs Street East and Commerce Street in Britomart.

Maunga was actually brought to life from a series of 25 works on paper, with the help of artists Ross Liew, Nicholas Boyd, and Margarita Vovna who blew it up to building size! The pot forms depicted in the artwork are a reference to objects that appeared in painted wharenui in 19th-century Aotearoa during a period of great experimentation in Māori art that followed the availability of European materials and techniques.

And guess what? Each pot in the artwork bears the name of a maunga (mountain), which reinforces the city's role as a place where people from all over the country come together.

Maunga was commissioned with the assistance of curator Nigel Borell for the 2020 exhibition Toi Tū Toi Ora: Contemporary Māori Art. Pretty amazing, right?

Location Te wāhi
Corner of Customs Street East and Commerce Street
Plan your route
Getting there Te huarahi ki reira
Take a train or catch a bus to Britomart. If you’re driving, you can park at Britomart Car Park, which are all just a short walk away from the artwork.
Local tip He tīwhiri mō te rohe
Visit just before sunset to take some great photos of Maunga and grab a drink or a bite to eat at one of the nearby restaurants and cafes in Britomart.