Ngaire Tuhua
Waikato-Tainui, Ngāti Whātua
Ko te Hoe o Tainui te pou ki mua
Ko Mangawara te pou ki tua
Ko Hapuakohe te pou ki uta
Ko Waitii te tatau o te whare
Uru tomo mai ki te papatipu o te urutapu,
ki te papatipu o te uruora!
Specialising in high-quality contemporary Maori art and design inspired and influenced by whakapapa, Ngaire Tuhua is committed to contributing positively to the continuity of mātauranga Māori by making it accessible to the wider community through her work.
Ngaire realises the responsibility of nourishing whakapapa and dedicates herself to designing and creating exclusive high-quality contemporary Maori art. Her areas of specialty include drawing, painting and tā moko. Every mark she makes recites a combination of whakapapa, karakia, kōrero tuku iho and significant historical events that highlight the fundamental importance of core values and principles that contribute to the overall well-being of our whanau, hapu and iwi.
Te Ara i Whiti
Ngaire is one of our seven exhibiting artists for Te Ara i Whiti 2022.
Ngaire is exhibiting her work Ruawhetū. Describing her mahi toi, Ngaire says:
“Ruawhetū is a tribute to Steve Gibbs and Tā Derek Lardelli, two tipua who have contributed significantly to my life as a ringa toi Māori. Ruawhetū expresses my profound respect and appreciation for the aroha, guidance, patience and support these tipua have shown me in my pursuit of self-discovery.
The kaupapa for this work was inspired by a whakataukī shared by Dr Rangi Mataamua:
“Ko te wai o Rehua, he wai nō Ruawhetū”
This whakataukī recalls Tāne’s journey to attain knowledge from the uppermost heaven. He went in search of Rehua, Atua of knowledge and kindness. When Tāne arrived at Te Toi o ngā Rangi, he asked Rehua for help to fulfil his desire to attain mātauranga to help mankind. Rehua undone his tikitiki (top knot) and from it fell a waterfall known as “te wai o Rehua”. The waterfall is a metaphor for knowledge and suggests that learning is forever.
Personally, Rehua’s willingness to share sacred knowledge is a true reflection of Stevie G and Paapa D’s generosity.
Kei aku rangatira, e kore te aroha e waimeha noa, anō nei ko te wai o Rehua.”
Ruawhetū will be exhibited at Te Ara i Whiti from July 9 – 17, 2022 at Kelvin and Marina Park.
