Signage installed with the work reads:

“Designed and executed by G.V. Hansen, a young art student in 1964.

“These glass mosaic tiled panels were originally mounted at wharf deck level on the interior walls of the former Overseas Passenger Terminal framing the public entrance to the lift and escalator lobby to the passenger reception area on the upper deck.

“The form and the pattern of the mosaic murals are a development in general terms of early Māori motifs and represent a stone anchor, tiki, canoe prow and Maui’s fishhook.

“The fourth mosaic is located at the end of the residents’ gym.”

Each work has an individual brass panel that variously reads:

“Maui’s Fish Hook : This depicts Maui’s fish hook with which, by legend, he fished up the North Island of New Zealand. The Maori name for this island is “Te-Ika-A-Maui”, meaning “The Fish of Maui.”” [under blue panel]

“The Stone Anchors : The pattern has been adapted from the form of two stone anchors used by Maori migratory Canoes.” [under green panel]

“Maori Carvings : The form and pattern are a development in general terms of early Maori carving designs.” [under red panel]

“God of the sea : This depicts the body of Tangaroa, the god of the sea and symbolises safety to ocean travellers. The secondary element within the design is the wave like curves and swirls of the oceans.” [under blue/yellow panel]