TE TAIRĀWHITI ARTS FESTIVAL SUMMER EVENT CANCELLED
Due to the recent community outbreak of COVID-19 Omicron and the move to a Red Light in the COVID Protection Framework across Aotearoa, it is with heavy hearts that Te Tairāwhiti Arts Festival’s special, postponed Summer event has been cancelled. CEO and Artistic Director Tama Waipara says, “With this already being a moved event, a […]
COVID-19 Information for Ticketholders
With 2021 coming to a close, we hope that you are spending some much-needed time with your whānau this holiday season. 2021 was definitely a year that we won’t forget – although we could do without saying “pivot” ever again! In October, we were proud to present a locally-focused session of the Te Tairāwhiti Arts […]
INSPIRATION AND ILLUMINATION AT TE ARA PATUPAIAREHE
A night of art of art, music, kai and magic was experienced by people of all ages on Saturday 27 November at the opening event of Te Ara Patupaiarehe at Manutahi Hill, Ruatorea. The forest fairy trail is the culmination of a project led by Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Waiu o Ngāti Porou, […]
Whāngārā photographic exhibition goes online
An exhibition of photos illuminating climate change and environmental wellbeing – taken by the young student photographers of Whāngārā School – are now part of an online exhibition. The project in collaboration with Track Zero, Through the eye of the Lens Te Tairāwhiti a photographic exhibition launched at Te Tairāwhiti Arts Festival, saw the students […]
GLOWING START TO BELOVED ARTS FESTIVAL IN THE TOI CAPITAL OF AOTEAROA – TE TAIRĀWHITI
It was a warm and wonderful start to Te Tairawhiti Arts Festival 2021, which opened on Friday 8 October with the brilliance of the annual immersive light installation Te Ara i Whiti and a showcase of local musicians at the festival’s outdoor Te Pūtahi Hub, setting the city aglow. Stopping in during a road trip to promote the COVID-19 vaccination programme to rural communities, Rt Hon. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern was thankful for the opportunity to speak to festival supporters at an opening event in the Lawson Field Theatre. The Prime Minister reinforced the importance of access to both healthcare and the arts – […]
Te Ara i Whiti Artist Feature – Tāwera
Tāwera Tahuri Ngā Ariki Kaipūtahi, Whakatōhea, Ngāti Uenuku, Tūwharetoa Tāwera Tahuri is a mixed media artist covering a wide range of mediums and techniques. Influenced by the work of artist’s such as Basquiat, Klee, Picasso, Kura Te Waru Rewiri and Emere Karaka, she has produced a prolific amount of work throughout her artistic career. She […]
Te Ara i Whiti Artist Feature – Ron
Ron TeKawa Ngāti Porou Maungarongo (Ron) TeKawa of Ngāti Porou has been working prolifically in fashion, art, community development and education across Aotearoa New Zealand for decades. Using sewing as a conduit to connect with people, his legendary workshops have given countless participants the confidence to create and express with fabric. Ron’s unique quilting style […]
Te Ara i Whiti Artist Feature – Steve
Steve Gibbs Ngāi Tāmanuhiri Steve Gibbs is a teacher and a practicing visual artist specialising in painting and the education of kōwhaiwhai. He is an associate professor at Toihoukura, School of Māori Visual Arts and Design in the Te Hono ki Toi – Master of Creative Practice postgraduate programme. Steve is currently wrapping up his […]
Te Ara i Whiti Artist Feature – Johnny
Johnny Moetara Rongowhakaata, Ngā Puhi Johnny Moetara is a practicing visual artist specialising in painting. He is also active in both Whakairo and Kapa Haka, allowing him to maintain a strong connection with Te Ao Māori through ancestral lands and the ocean. Johnny is also a Kaiako at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, at the Whirikoka […]
Te Ara i Whiti Artist Feature – Ariki
Taupuruariki (Ariki) Whakataka Brightwell Rongowhakaata, Te Ara Ariki Brightwell is a pop-culture indigenous artist, specializing in mural and digital works. She creates public works that represent the whakapapa and history of the land. As a 27th generation artist, like her father and those before him, her mission is to share their stories to the world […]
