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Toi Matarau

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Toi Matarau

Emerging and high profiled artists of traditional and contemporary toi Māori.

25/08/2026

Nō Tāukiuki
OPENING: Saturday 29 August 1pm
Toi Matarau
68 Main Street, Ōtaki, AOTEAROA

Nō Tuawhakarere ngā kōrero tuku iho, nō Tawhiti Pāmaomao!

Nō Tāukiuki, Long Ago...

An exhibition weaving worlds and whakapapa from Long Ago

In this group exhibition, we take a closer look at the unique symbolism and styles of making each artist is engaged in to inform enduring experiences.
Every artwork is thoughtfully considered to enhance the profile of each artist. Weaving whakapapa of the ancients into Te Ao Mārama, the ancestors speak as artists reach into the ancient world of tūpuna to tell their stories.
Take the journey with us at Toi Matarau Gallery where discovery learning is unlimited, where imagination and curiosity is free and accessible.

Follow us as their kōrero of Long Ago unfolds in Nō Tāukiuki.

Artworks by:
Reweti Arapere, 주현 | ᠣᠶᠤᠨᠳᠠᠯᠠᠢ
Design by:
Maddy Hakaraia de Young
Curated by:
Maakarita Paku

10/08/2026

Tāne me Te Ata Pūao
Nā Rhonda Halliday
Rhonda Halliday

We continue with our artist spotlight, profiling the ceramic works of Rhonda Halliday.

Te Wehenga o Ranginui rāua ko Papatūānuku tells the Māori creation story of how light first came into the world. In the beginning, the Sky Father, Ranginui, and the Earth Mother, Papatūānuku, were locked tightly together, leaving the world in darkness. Their son Tāne forced them apart, creating space for light, life, and growth to emerge.
Made from uku (earth clay) and natural earth pigments, this work carries a strong connection to the land and to the enduring stories that shape Aotearoa. The textured surface and earthy tones reflect both the raw power and tenderness within this moment of creation.
Both grounding and visually striking, the piece invites viewers to consider themes of transformation, renewal, and the relationship between people and the natural world.

📸Marliesje Kohu vandenAssum (Marli)

04/08/2026

📣 IDEN-TIKI 2026
Nā Tai Wiremu Kerekere

Tai comes from Te Whānau a Māhaki, Te Whānau a Kai, Ngāi Tai and Ngāpuhi.

Are you registered to vote?
Are you on the Māori Roll?

This painting is part of a series of three, exploring the history of voting rights in Aotearoa.
A multi-disciplinary artist, Tai is a graduate of Toihoukura School of Māori Visual Art and Design. Every work of art Tai creates is drawn from whakapapa, the history of his people as tangata whenua.
In this first painting, IDEN-TIKI 2026 tells how in 1853, most Māori were unable to vote, as eligibility was tied to individual land ownership—something largely at odds with communal systems of whānau, hapū, and iwi. By 1859, this exclusion was reinforced, with the Crown confirming that Māori could only vote if granted individual title.
The repeated ‘X’ marks reference the signatures of those who were denied both access and agency—present, yet unheard.

📸Marliesje Kohu vandenAssum (Marli)
Rina Tai Kerekere

-TIKI 2026

01/08/2026

✨Te Ao Marama💫
nā Rhonda Halliday Rhonda Halliday

Unique to Te Taitokerau and Aotearoa we are so excited to share this beautiful taonga with the world 🌏🌍🌎

Tāne separates Ranginui and Papatūānuku, bringing light to the world.
At first, the world was shrouded in darkness due to the close bond between Ranginui and Papatūānuku. Their sons debated whether they should separate their parents to allow light, warmth, and growth into the world. Despite disagreement among them, Tāne ultimately managed to severe them apart by pushing his legs against Ranginui and bracing his back and arms against Papatūānuku allowing the first light to emerge.

📸Marliesje Kohu vandenAssum (Marli)
Maakarita Paku

31/07/2026

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT ✨RHONDA HALLIDAY✨

Rhonda Halliday
Bringing forth stories earth side, of the whenua, of creation is the never ending story of an artist, of wahine Māori like Rhonda Halliday from Te Uri Taniwha, Ngāti Hineira and Ngāpuhi Nui Tonu.

A ‘muddie’ clay artist of the Ngā Kaihanga Uku Collective founded by the late Colleen Waata Urlich, the late Manos Nathan, Wi Taepa and many other endearing artists of te ao Māori. Rhonda is also an active contributor of Toi Ngāpuhi.

✨Hine Tītama Hine Nui Te Pō✨

On either side of this ipu, or vessel, you’ll find representations of two female deities. Alternatively, she can be seen as two aspects of the same individual. She is Hine Tītama, the Dawn Maiden and first child of Tāne and Hineahuone. After learning of her father Tāne's actions, she transformed into Hine Nui Te Pō, the Goddess of Death. The vessel’s exterior symbolizes the reflection of light, while its interior signifies the domain of darkness.

Here she is, a perfect taonga for your tūāhu.

📸Marliesje Kohu vandenAssum (Marli)

28/07/2026

REKEREKE 💫

Nā ✨Rīhari Warnock✨ Rīhari Warnock

'Rekereke' is a small series of three, by Waiheke Island based artist Rīhari Warnock of Ngāpuhi, Te Taitokerau.

These paintings capture the famous flight of the remarkable little Kūaka (Godwit) an ancient migrational bird of Muriwhenua. Each year they fly long distance from Alaska to Ngā Kokotā (the white sands) of Pārengarenga Harbour to breed and feed for their return flight.
Revered as a taonga tuku iho by iwi of Te Taitokerau, they are celebrated for their resilience and tenacity in this whakatauakī by Ngāti Kurī and iwi of Te Hiku o Te ika;

Kūaka mārangaranga
Kōtahi manu i tau atu ki te tāhuna
Tau atu! Tau atu! Tau atu e!

In both compositions, Rīhari depicts their movement as they muster together, led by the strongest Kūaka in the flock. Take off is an upward spiralling, sweeping line of Kūaka fanning out in the sky in a circular motion until every Kūaka has joined in the momentum. Once enough speed has been generated the lead Kūaka (referred to as the Kūaka Mārangaranga) darts off in the direction of Alaska. That’s when the journey begins, everyone following in one direction, a ten day non-stop flight of 12,000 kms.

📸Marliesje Kohu vandenAssum (Marli) Maakarita Paku

26/07/2026

TAI WIREMU KEREKERE

Tai comes from Te Whānau a Māhaki, Te Whānau a Kai, Ngāi Tai and Ngāpuhi.

Titled 'Divide and Conquer' this painting is part of a series of three, exploring the history of voting rights in Aotearoa.

A multi-disciplinary artist, Tai is a graduate of Toihoukura School of Māori Visual Art and Design. Every work of art Tai creates is drawn from whakapapa, the history of his people as tangata whenua.

Divide and Conquer is marked by the years 1867, 1975, and 1993.
In 1867, Māori seats were created in Parliament, offering representation but not equality. For many years, voting rights for Māori were limited and controlled, with people restricted by rigid rules about identity and where they could vote.

In 1975, a shift began, allowing Māori to choose between the Māori and general electoral rolls—an important step toward self-determination. This was strengthened in 1993, when representation began to better reflect the Māori population.
This work reflects on the long journey toward fair representation, and the ongoing shaping of voice and identity in Aotearoa.

📸Marliesje Kohu vandenAssum (Marli), Maakarita Paku

Rina Tai Kerekere

24/07/2026

KIRI KAURI nā Tristan Marler Tristan Marler

Looking for authentic creators with intention and dedication?

We are humbled to connect our community and travellers to Ōtaki with toi uku by Tristan Marler of Te Rarawa and Te Aupouri, of Te Taitokerau.

Presenting Kiri Kauri, Tristan’s magnificent clay pot measuring 350 X 350 X 350 mm.

This beautiful pot represents the tuakana teina relationship between Tohorā and Kauri. Pit-fired at home, with consideration of the process beginning in Te Pō and revealed 48 hours later at dawn, Te Ao Marama. This is Tristan’s special way of breathing and exhaling mauri motuhake into Kiri Kauri.

A definite feature statement in any space, its grandeur is commanding by design and detail with an exquisite fired finish. The composition of Tristan’s carving is highlighted by the capture of both natural and conventional lighting.

Based in Tāmaki Makarau Tristan is a Te Ara Hou - Toi Iho registered, multi-disciplinary artist working from his studio at home. His growing arts practice includes Toi Moko, Whakairo, Waituhi, Uku, Design, Architecture, Body Adornment and Textile Design.

📸 Tristan Marler Maakarita Paku

13/07/2026

RANGINUI SKYFATHER

Painted by Darcy Nicholas was born in Waitara, Taranaki into a large whānau where he was raised by many women alongside his mother. His iwi are Taranaki, Te Āti Awa, Ngāti Ruanui, Ngāti Hauā, Tauranga Moana.

In all of Darcy’s vibrant paintings, Ranginui and Papatūānuku are present and acknowledged as the divine Skyfather and Earthmother. An expression of great love for his father and mother.
A powerful message to the world about looking after Ranginui and Papatūānuku OUR primal parents.

Darcy is also a Toi Iho registered artist.

DM for further info or visit https://toi.maorilandfilm.co.nz/brand/darcy-nicholas/

📸 James Nicholas
📸

Address

68 Main Street
Otaki
5512

Opening Hours

Monday	10am - 4pm
Tuesday	10am - 4pm
Wednesday	10am - 4pm
Thursday	10am - 4pm
Friday	10am - 4pm
Saturday	10am - 4pm

Website

https://toi.maorilandfilm.co.nz/

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