He Reo mō te Kiwi (A voice for the kiwi) was one of the distinctive artworks featured at this year’s New Zealand Open, not only for its striking presence but for the kaupapa behind it.
Created by artist Sandi Young and showcased as part of the Kiwi Art Trail, the sculpture comes to the tournament through the support of Gallagher Insurance in its role as Major Partner of the New Zealand Open and their long-standing support of Save the Kiwi.
Painted entirely in te reo Māori kupu, Sandi describes the surface of the kiwi becoming a living language field, where each word forms part of a visual rhythm rather than a direct translation. Viewers are encouraged to look closely, discover quietly, and feel the meaning as much as read it. The kupu themselves speak to guardianship, love, healing, breath, life force and connection, to remind us that caring for the kiwi and caring for language are inseparable acts of preservation.
What we choose to protect, whether species, stories, culture or whenua shapes the wellbeing of generations to come.
What makes this artwork particularly special to the Open is its purpose. Proceeds from the sale of He Reo mō te Kiwi will be donated to the New Zealand Open Charitable Trust (NZOCT), supporting the tournament’s commitment to making a positive and lasting impact in communities across the country.
In a remarkable outcome, Sandi’s kiwi was secured with a winning bid of $51,500 – a record for the Kiwi Art Trail and one of the highest amounts ever raised from a single artwork on a public art trail in New Zealand.
While Sandi is an accomplished painter working across a range of mediums, this sculpture marks her first venture into three-dimensional form. It extends her painted language into a new territory, guided by the same curiosity, attentiveness and respect for process that define her studio practice.
Sandi is also an active part of the golf and charitable community. She is a member at Tara Iti, serves on the board of the Tara Iti Whānau charity, is a Guardian of the New Zealand Open, and is also a Trustee of the New Zealand Open Charitable Trust.
With Gallagher Insurance enabling its presence at the New Zealand Open, He Reo mō te Kiwi reflects a shared commitment to sustainability, cultural respect and community investment.
