Te Ara Toi Gallery
Free entry
He Toi Whakarauora presents the work of Ngati Toa iwi members and contemporary artists engaged in whakairo, whatu kakahu, and taniko. Through dedication, learning, and collective effort, the exhibition reflects the revitalisation of these practices within the community and the growing opportunities for people to reconnect with the skills, knowledge, and traditions that have sustained generations.
He toi whakairo, he mana tangata.
Where there is artistic excellence, there is human dignity.
– Piri Sciascia (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāi Tahu)
Over the past several years, toi Māori has become a growing and vibrant area of interest within the Ngāti Toa iwi and community. The toi space provides opportunities for our people to come together, reconnect with, learn, practise, and share traditional Māori art forms and knowledge under the guidance of our skilled and experience ringatoi and tutors.
The revitalisation of these practices is particularly significant given the many challenges that have impacted the transmission and continuation of traditional Māori art forms, not just for Ngāti Toa but for Māori in general. The disruption of our traditional art practices have included the loss of time and opportunities, migration and urbanisation, the influence of Western art forms, and the broader impacts of colonisation.
To help with growing our capacity of ringatoi, Ngāti Toa currently offer classes in whakairo, whatu kakahu, and tāniko, with other art practices also having been taught in previous years for our iwi members. The ongoing vision is to see as many traditional art forms and practices as possible remain alive, active, and accessible within our communities, ensuring that mātauranga and practical skills continue to be passed on to future generations.
He Toi Whakarauora captures the journey of Ngāti Toa iwi members and contemporary artists as they engage with and express themselves through whakairo, whatu kakahu, and tāniko. This exhibition celebrates the commitment, creativity, and dedication of those involved in these practices, while highlighting the importance of creating spaces where our people can reconnect with our artistic traditions.
For Ngāti Toa, the revitalisation of traditional Māori art forms is an important part of our wider journey of reclamation. These practices provide a pathway for reconnecting with our identity, strengthening cultural knowledge, and affirming who we are as Ngāti Toa. He Toi Whakarauora celebrates this ongoing journey and the people who are helping to ensure that our traditional art forms continue to live and thrive.
About Te Rūnanga o
Toa Rangatira
Ko Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira te mana kōkiri mō Ngāti Toa Rangatira. I whakatūria te Rūnanga i te tau 1990 hei tiaki i ngā rawa me ngā hua pūmau o te iwi.
Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira was established in 1990. It is the mandated iwi authority for Ngāti Toa Rangatira, and the administrative body of iwi estates and assets.
Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira manages political and public interests on behalf of Ngāti Toa Rangatira including Tiriti claims and settlements, commercial and customary fisheries, health services (including primary mental health and residential care services), social services, central and local government relationships, and resource and environmental management. It is also responsible for commercial interests including property assets. Te Rūnanga O Toa Rangatira Incorporated is a non-profit incorporated society with charitable status.
The rohe of Ngāti Toa extends from the Whangaehu River south along the ranges to Turakirae. It then crosses Raukawa Moana (Cook Strait) to Marlborough and Nelson. This is encapsulated in the tribal pepeha: Mai i Miria te Kakara ki Whitireia, whakawhiti te moana Raukawa, ki Wairau, ki Whakatū.
Moemoeā: Our vision is that Ngāti Toa is a strong, vibrant and influential iwi, firmly grounded in our cultural identity and leading change to enable whānau wellbeing and prosperity.
Whāinga: Our mission is to empower our whānau, reclaiming our own iwi self-determination, revitalising our environment through leadership, innovation, connectedness and exercising our rangatiratanga.