The full-size wharenui (Māori meeting house) is made from 5,000 balls of brightly-coloured yarn and crotcheted by hand. Created by artists Lissy and Rudi Cole-Robinson, the wharenui has captured hearts and broken visitor records since it opened in Christchurch in December.

Lissy and Rudi spent three years making Wharenui Harikoa, which translates to ‘House of Joy’. The monumental task of creating this neon-coloured wharenui began with a simple crochet hook and a clutch of eye-catching yarn.

For Lissy and Rudi, it is more than just an art installation – it's a manifestation of their dreams, identity, and the love they have for each other and their people.