The Head of Auckland's Elam School of Fine Arts is delighted a staff member has been awarded an international sculpture commission.
The Premier of Queensland has selected Michael Parekowhai, who's an Associate Professor at Elam, to create a three part bronze sculpture for the Queensland Art Gallery.
Professor Jonathan Mane-Wheoki from Elam, says the commission caps off a remarkable year for the 43-year-old from Ngati Whakarongo.
He says Mr Parekowhai represented New Zealand at the international contemporary art exhibition in Venice.
The sculpture called The World Turns, will feature a life sized up ended elephant, a chair and a native Australian water marsupial called a kuril.
