Twiss injured himself twice during the construction process, first breaking ribs and later damaging his foot when a piece of the sculpture fell on him.

[5] The sculpture was unveiled in Pigeon Park in April 1969, in a ceremony where mayor Dove-Myer Robinson switched on the fountain.

[4] Local historian Edward Bennett notes that when the piece was broken, few people realised that Karangahape Rocks was a fountain, as its water elements were so hidden.

[3] Karangahape Rocks was described by art historian Robin Woodward as "one of the most successfully integrated sculptures in any urban environment in the country.

"[7] Both art historian Michael Dunn and local historian Edward Bennett identified influences of English sculptors Henry Moore and Barbara Hepworth;[5][3] Dunn likening the work to Moore's Seated Figure Against Curved Wall (1957).

[12] Dunn believed that by perforating the discs, Twiss was more able to integrate Karangahape Rocks with the surrounding environment.