Toi Kiri

23/03/2026

As the New Zealand of the Year Awards take place tonight, we acknowledge Elizabeth Ellis, named Ryman Healthcare Senior New Zealander of the Year one year ago.

A driving force behind Toi Iho since 1998 and current Board Chair, Elizabeth has dedicated decades to strengthening toi Māori, supporting artists, and upholding quality and integrity.

Her leadership continues to shape Toi Iho and the wider sector with clarity and purpose.

We celebrate you Elizabeth. Ngā mihi nui ki a koe.

23/03/2026

23/03/2026

Nō Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Ranginui me Tūhoe, Maraea Timutimu joins Paewhiri to talk about her mahi toi.

A former Queen Vic student and arts teacher, Maraea holds a Master of Fine Arts from Whitecliffe College. Her exhibitions have featured poi made from bread packets, cameo-style portraits of her sisters, and large-scale commissions made from perspex and old keyboards.

Her most recent work, Tai Timu, Tai Pari, is an outdoor artwork made from whenua.

So, what inspires her?
Does Tauranga Moana have enough art in this rohe that highlights our stories?
What does Toi Māori mean to Maraea, what does it mean to you?

Join Paewhiri this Thursday, 12–1pm, with Te Kehukehu and Justine.

24/11/2025

27/10/2025

Full of life and culture, DokoTasi, an emerging Pasifika performance group – graced us with the power and beauty of the islands – sharing, connecting and inspiring.

Kia ora to our incredible performers and every single one of you who came to support, share and celebrate. We look forward to seeing where the future takes you all through the coming years.

Fa’afetai tele lava, vinaka vakalevu, mālō 'aupito, fakaaue lahi, meitaki ma’ata, and ngā mihi nui to all who made it happen. 📷



.ink .org

26/10/2025

Margaret Aull, Amy Korenhof (Tapa Moana Nui), Iata Peautolu, and Darcell Apelu held space for bold voices — artists, creatives, thinkers, and leaders who shared deep whakaaro.

Through their wealth of lived experiences across multiple mediums of Pacific arts practices – both traditional and contemporary – each kōrero challenged and inspired us to think bigger, act bolder, and centre our stories in the future of toi.

Fa’afetai tele lava, vinaka vakalevu, mālō 'aupito, fakaaue lahi, meitaki ma’ata, and ngā mihi nui to all who made it happen. 📷



.ink .org

23/10/2025

Tapa Moana Nui led us in a hands-on, heart-led, rhythm-based session that honoured the deep ancestral knowledge of tapa making in Moana nui a Kiwa.

Together we explored tapa – known across the Pacific as many names including aute, ngatu, siapo, and hiapo – a living, breathing connection to whenua and whakapapa.

Fa’afetai tele lava, vinaka vakalevu, mālō 'aupito, fakaaue lahi, meitaki ma’ata, and ngā mihi nui to all who made it happen. 📷



.ink .org

22/10/2025

A huge mihi to everyone who joined us for a day of connection. Artists, creatives, performers and community members came together to share whakaaro, celebrate culture, and work towards shaping the future of Pacific arts in Tauranga Moana.

From kōrero to kai, performances to planning — a day full of mana and momentum. Kia ora to our community whānau who attended with their curiosity, support, readiness to share and celebrate Pacific arts in our region.

Fa’afetai tele lava, vinaka vakalevu, mālō 'aupito, fakaaue lahi, meitaki ma’ata, and ngā mihi nui to all who made it happen. 📷



.ink .org