Wānanga Celebrates Toi Whakairo Ākonga

Wānanga Celebrates Toi Whakairo Ākonga 

Ākonga of Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi’s Te Pou Hono ki Toi programme took centre stage with their inaugural exhibition ,Te Kura o Matariki Whakairo, in Hāwera, Taranaki. Around one hundred guests gathered for the launch at Te Ramanui o Ruapūtahanga in the Lysaght Watt Gallery, where the ākonga’s mahi will be on display for four weeks. 

The exhibition stands as a powerful expression of cultural revitalisation, identity, and intergenerational knowledge-sharing. Programme tutor and founder of Te Kura o Matariki Whakairo, Meka Mauriri says, “Our first exhibition lets the work speak for itself. It marks a moment when our ringa toi (carvers) reclaim their voice, reconnect with their roots and testify to the ongoing strength of our tradition.” 

At the heart of this kaupapa is the ambition to develop ringa toi who will one day adorn their own wharenui.  

“Through Te Pou Hono ki Toi, ākonga receive rich grounding - spiritual, cultural, historical and practical - so that this art form lives on in the hands of uri of Taranaki, carrying their whakapapa and mana into the stories and places we build next.” 

The gallery showcases a striking collection of kōwhaiwhai, wheku, pou whenua and whakairo pieces. Each type of carving which includes wood, bone or stone, tells a story of dedication, learning, and cultural resurgence.  

Meka says, “We have taken a deliberate step forward in revitalising and safeguarding mātauranga Māori and the carving traditions of our region. Its meaning extends far beyond the exhibition itself, building our iwi capability by investing in future generations of ringa toi. This art form is essential to the identity and future of our people.” 

The exhibition runs until 13 December 2025. 

Learn more about our Te Pou Hono programmes here.