Toi Māori exhibition

Explore a rich tapestry of toi Māori at our art exhibition, open daily from 8 AM to 4 PM.

This exhibition is a core feature of the Tangaroa Ararau project and showcases a compelling collection of artworks from talented Māori artists across Aotearoa including Tai Kerekere, Rina Kerekere, Erena Koopu, Hiwirori Maynard, Toni Sadlier, Nick Tupara, and Tamihana Katene.

Curated by KE Design, each featured piece has been thoughtfully crafted to reflect the whakapapa relationship between Tangaroa and iwi Māori, inviting us to reimagine a marine governance system with Tangaroa at the centre.

We invite you to wander through diverse displays of video, audio, painting, sculpture, and print media, each forming a mahi toi expression of the Tangaroa Ararau research project. With each piece telling a unique story, this immersive experience provides an opportunity to fully engage with the transformative findings of the research, and provides insights into tikanga-led practices that can guide our interactions with the marine environment. We encourage you to explore each display at your own pace, engage deeply with the artworks, and absorb the rich kōrero behind each piece.

The research team will be available throughout each day to answer pātai and share whakaaro, making this a comprehensive and enriching experience for all who attend.

FEATURED WORKS

Art Exhibits: Curated by Tai and Rina Kerekere of KE Design, the exhibition brings together the works of six Māori artists from across Aotearoa to share their whakaaro and artistic interpretation of an ocean-centric model with Tangaroa at the heart. Featured artists include Tai Kerekere, Rina Kerekere, Erena Koopu, Hiwirori Maynard, Toni Sadlier, Nick Tupara, Tamihana Katene who will be presenting a variety of mixed media works including, paint, sculpture, carving, weaving, and digital media.

Film: The opening of the exhibition will feature the premiere of a short film documentary that cinematically shares the journey and impact of the Tangaroa Ararau project, filmed and directed by Madison Henry of Māui Studios.

Waiata: At the evening function of the exhibition, R&B/Soul trio, the Tuari Brothers, will perform live an exclusive debut of a waiata specially composed for this kaupapa, as well as songs from their debut album ‘Rongo’.

Tāmoko: Live tā moko demonstrations performed by Nick Tupara and Hiwiori Maynard, demonstrating an illustrative connection between pūrākau of the kaitiaki of the moana and contemporary toi Māori.

Taonga puoro: An immersive wānanga that explores the traditional art of taonga pūoro (traditional Māori instruments) and their connection to pūrākau and storytelling.

As the exhibition is open all day, there is no need to pre-register.