Martin Tissink, ‘Walk in the Redwoods’ (1992), The Redwood Walk - Whakarewarewa Forest, Rotorua

Image: Bronwyn Holloway-Smith, Public Art Heritage Aotearoa New Zealand, 2022

Northern Regional Arts Council

Rotorua Lakes Council

Near main carpark, The Redwoods-Whakarewarewa Forest, 1 Tītokorangi Drive (formerly Longmile Rd), Whakarewarewa, Rotorua

Walk in the Redwoods

Martin Tissink was born at Middleburg in the Netherlands. He attended an applied arts school as well as studying electronics extramurally. He worked in an electrical and radio repair shop before being drafted in to the navy where he worked with sonar. After transferring to the civilian navy he serviced fleet and coastal radar stations.

In 1965 Tissink moved to New Zealand with his wife and three children. They would settle in Rotorua while Tissink worked for Kaingaroa Forest School, setting up fire lookouts and relay stations. 

After divorcing his first wife he moved to Christchurch and eventually married Mere-Apeti Marshall. Together they moved to Ngongotaha and Tissink turned to sculpture, working in wood and metal. 

Deeply concern with environmental issues, Tissink was involved with Forest and Bird, Greenpeace, and as a DOC volunteer as well as being a keen tramper.