Woodend artists Rachel Harré and Frank Malone created the four panels on the sides of the Obelisk, depicting aspects of Kaiapoi’s history. On separate panels they have represented the freezing works, the woollen mill, the wharf and the Kaiapoi pa. These are captured in clay designed by Harré the artist and Malone the ceramicist. The structure was built by Angus Watson and the metal frame was structured by Glen O’Neil. Mark Larsen fabricated the Kaiapoi Borough crest on top of the structure. The sculpture is made up of 40 clay units, each separately carved in the damp clay by Rachel. After being fired a stain was applied then fired again. The whole process took six months. 

The view on Kaiapoi Pa panel is a scene taken from an original watercolour painting by Charles Haubroe of the Kaiapoi River and the Te Aika whare, painted in 1855. 

The project was adopted by St Patrick's school and the students put together a time capsule which was placed inside the structure. 

Frank and Rachel live at Woodend Beach, North Canterbury. Frank has a History Degree from the University of Canterbury. And has been a practising potter for a number of years. Rachel has a Fine Arts Degree (printmaking) from The Ilam School of Fine Arts, University of Canterbury. After completing her Honours year she trained as a teacher, and taught for a number of years at Christchurch Girl’s High and was a visiting tutor at the Christchurch and Wanganui Polytechnics, and also the Christchurch Teachers College. Rachel received a scholarship to study art in Israel, and Frank also studied ceramics while in Israel. Since 1985 Rachael has exhibited in solo and group shows both in New Zealand and overseas. Rachel and Frank had a studio and art gallery, ‘Fragments of Grace’, in Kaiapoi for six years. Their studio is now at Woodend Beach. Rachel and Frank have been recipients of two Creative NZ Grants and have undertaken a number of public commissions. Their work is held in both private and public collections. 

The art work was damaged in the 2010 earthquake and was in storage until weeks before the 10th anniversary of the disaster in September 2020 when it was placed in its current position.