“The Southern Cross Stone sculpture on Trafalgar St in Nelson was created by Takaka Hill sculptor Bruce Mitchell. Based on a crystal formation known as the stone cross the sculpture represents the Southern Cross constellation that guided both Pacific Island and European navigators to New Zealand. The sculpture is made from seven tonnes of black marble sourced by the sculptor from the Golden Bay area and is arranged to match the North/South, East/West points of a compass.”

Source: NZ Outdoor Art, Facebook post

“The Southern Cross Stone sculpture, located on Trafalgar Street halfway between Hardy and Bridge Streets, was created by Bruce Mitchell from seven tonnes of Golden Bay black marble, and installed in October 1992. It is loosely based on a natural crystal formation known as the cross stone and linked to the Southern Cross, which helped guide Māori and Europeans to New Zealand. The sculpture has been aligned north-south and east-west to form a rough compass, and to create an x-shaped shadow in the afternoon sun.”

Source: The Prow

The sculpture was “commissioned by Trustbank Canterbury Community Trust to mark 150 years of European Settlement in Nelson 1842-1992”

See also:

• Art and Architecture of Trafalgar Street, Nelson (The Prow)