Mana Whenua o Te Whanganui a Tara
28 June - 9 Aug
Aho Hononga - A celebration of Mana Whenua ringatoi of Te Whanganui a Tara.
Toi Pōneke comes together with Te Ati Awa, Taranaki Whānui and Ngati Toa Rangatira to present a celebration of Toi, culture and kotahitanga.
Over the past year Toi Pōneke Arts Centre has been intentionally increasing the inclusion of Mana Whenua ringatoi into our regular exhibition program. Applying the Aho Hononga strand from WCC’s Aho Tini strategy, this exhibition showcases the beginning of Toi Pōneke’s hand in the movement. And so, we proudly present the first Mana Whenua exhibition at Toi Pōneke, Aho Hononga; in partnership with Te Aro Pā, Te Ati Awa, Taranaki Whānui and Ngati Toa Rangatira.
Aho Hononga will feature just over 20 Mana Whenua ringatoi; just as Mana Whenua ringatoi explore a wide range of practices, Aho Hononga exhibits a wide range of artforms. Toi Pōneke gallery will host raranga, tukutuku, whakairo, photography, jewellery, painting with special public programmes from Keri-Mei Zagrobelna, Keanyn Arthur, Kauia Moriarty, Vianney Parata and Whareahuru Gilbert. Opening the day before Matariki on the 27th of June, Aho Hononga aims to celebrates ringatoi through a Mana Whenua lens and hold space for kotahitanga, reflection, release and participation; to inspire others to gather under celebration and connection.
Since April 2022 Toi Pōneke Arts Centre has committed to Takai Here. Takai Here, signed on the 182nd anniversary of the signing of Te Tiriti ō Waitangi in Te Whanganui a Tara, established a shared commitment to partnership between Te Rangipū Ahikaaroa and Wellington City Council. Symbolised through the waka, each of us play a role in moving forward, together.
“Te Rangapū Ahikāroa and Te Kaunihera o Pōneke/Wellington City Council will work together to ensure each binding, lashing, knotting, and tying of our waka is safe and fit for our collective purposes. This strategic partnership will come to life through and be underpinned by these shared values and tikanga. This critical role we all play in this partnership is likened to that of a hoe or paddle. Like a hoe draws water to propel the waka forward, this partnership will look ahead and plan for the opportunities and future of Wellington.”
Aho Hononga is the launching of the waka for Toi Pōneke. We acknowledge the privilege we have as a Council organisation with space and resources in Te Aro and we thank mana whenua for their manaaki and tautoko as we strive to support toi in Pōneke.
Aho Hononga opens at 11am on Thursday 27th June at Toi Pōneke Gallery, 61 Abel Smith Street – next door to Fresh Choice.
Whakairo Demonstration
Saturday 29 June
Come into the gallery to see toi whakairo Whareahuru Gilbert doing some live carving. Open to everyone.
Making with the Maramataka
Saturday 6 July
Artist Keri-Mei will be hosting a making workshop where friends and whanau can come in, have a little kai and a cup of tea while making pendants or earrings out of shells, beads, polymer clay and other materials
Artist Talk
Saturday 27 July
Join artists Keri-Mei Zagrobelna, Kohai Grace and Vianney Parata as they discuss the works in the exhibition Aho Hononga and their respective artforms.
Kōwhaiwhai Demonstration
Saturday 27 July
Come into the gallery to see Keanyn Arthur and Kauia Moriarty doing some live painting inspired by the painting practice - kōwhaiwhai.
