The Commonwealth quilt

For the 1990 Auckland Commonwealth Games

This quilt is a multicultural work created by the women of Auckland to commemorate the 1990 Auckland Commonwealth Games.

Only two copies were ever made: one went to the Games’ next host - Victoria, in Canada. The other toured New Zealand and now hangs in ASB Community Trust’s boardroom.

The original vision of multi-media artist Carole Shepheard, its creation was a long collaboration between representatives of the Pacific’s major cultures.

Under Northern Regional Arts Council member Joan Caulfield's guidance, Maori and Pacifika artists, together with members of the Auckland Patchwork and Quilters Guild and the Embroiderers Guild created an artwork which represents New Zealand as it approached the end of the millennium. The back of the quilt still holds the signed handprints of all those involved in its creation.

The central panel focuses on the elements we all share and which make us New Zealanders, a nation of the Pacific: the land, sea, sky, flora and fauna. The link for all the bush and shore figures is represented by the background fabric - water, the life force.

Above and below are flying geese formations, representing the waves of migration here in the past 150 years.

On either side are panels representing the culture and traditions of Fiji, Nuie, Rarotonga, Samoa and Tonga. Embracing it all are traditional Maori patterns representing the stars, traditionally used for navigation, and aramoana, the paths of the sea.

Toi Maihi was responsible for co-ordinating the quilt’s Maori elements, while Luseane Koloi and Tai’I Turepu co-ordinated contributions from Pacifika. Together, all these cultures created an artwork that speaks of unity yet individuality of the past and present; of an affinity with the physical and spiritual aspects of this land. It speaks of friendship and integrity and love.

“As a statement about who we are and where we are it speaks volumes.  As a work of art it is a piece of magic that will enhance the lives of all who see it.”

NZ Crafts magazine, Winter 1990