Punarua Exhibition Arrives At Taupō Museum
Punarua: Weaving work honours legacy of Tūwharetoa knowledge holders
Taupō Museum is set to unveil Punarua, possibly the largest piupiu ever created, in its Aotearoa debut following a standout international premiere at the prestigious 2024 Biennale of Sydney.
Commissioned especially for the Biennale, Punarua was designed and led by Hone Bailey, a member of the local weaving collective Te Whā ā Huna, which also includes Paehoro Konui, Meraania Heke Chase-Perich, and Manu Fox. The piece pays tribute to the late Koro Te Kanawa Pitiroi, a respected leader of Ngāti Tūwharetoa and tireless advocate for the preservation of iwi knowledge.
Hone Bailey, recognised online for sharing insights into te ao Māori with a large and loyal following, is an integral part of Te Whā ā Huna. Punarua is very much the work of the collective, whose artistry and cultural depth shaped the taonga from its base in Tokaanu, a place known for its geothermal beauty and celestial connections, reflected in the names of its streets.
The work draws inspiration from the ancestral narrative of Māui-takitaki-i-te-rā and was created using traditional weaving techniques passed down through generations. This project is not only a celebration of intergenerational storytelling but a labour of love and legacy by weavers deeply connected to the whenua.
'This taonga is a living piece,' says museum curator Piata Winitana-Murray. 'By exhibiting Punarua during Matariki and then long term in the Tūwharetoa Gallery, we honour the fact that these traditions are still very much alive - practiced, celebrated, and shared with whānau and the community.'
Punarua offers a moment of celebration and reflection during Matariki. The exhibition shares not just the piupiu, but the journey to create it, with an accompanying documentary that takes viewers behind the scenes, from the first threads to its international debut.
Punarua will first be exhibited in the art gallery before moving to the Tūwharetoa Gallery on long-term loan at Taupō Museum for two years. This placement reflects the wishes of the weavers to share it publicly with their whānau and community, and to remind visitors that taonga within museums are not only relics of the past, but part of ongoing traditions.
Punarua opens at Taupō Museum on Saturday, June 7. There will also be an opportunity to hear all four artists discuss the creation of this unique and significant piece at 10.30am that same day.
The museum is open from 10am to 4.30pm daily, with free entry for local residents.
This Matariki, come and witness a taonga woven from ancestral wisdom and community pride.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scoop
11 hours ago
- Scoop
PAPA: Woven Wearable Art Returns To Auckland For One Day Only
Press Release – Kahui St David's Free to the public, PAPA Papatnuku | Whakapapa brings the rich traditions of Mori weaving and cultural expression to life through fashion, music, and performance, transforming Khui St Davids into a vibrant runway. Auckland, New Zealand – In celebration of Matariki, PAPA – Papatūānuku | Whakapapa returns next month to Auckland with a one-day-only event that showcases the finest in woven wearable art. What: PAPA – Papatūānuku | Whakapapa – Woven Wearable Arts Showcase When: Saturday 7 June 2025 | 1:00pm–3:00pm Where: Kāhui St David's, 70 Khyber Pass Road, Grafton, Auckland Tickets: Free entry – registration essential via Eventfinda Website: Free to the public, PAPA – Papatūānuku | Whakapapa brings the rich traditions of Māori weaving and cultural expression to life through fashion, music, and performance, transforming Kāhui St David's into a vibrant runway. Curated by Te Whaea Witika and Beronia Scott, who are part of Te Puāwai Raranga, a collective of contemporary and traditional Māori artists and weavers based in Ōrākei, Auckland, the showcase will feature a collection of pieces from across New Zealand, woven from harakeke, natural fibres, and upcycled materials such as plastic bottle caps, tivaevae, and fast fashion waste. Some pieces take up to a year to complete. These works of wearable art will be modelled by participants of all ages, from rangatahi (youth) to kaumātua (elders). This year's featured artists hail from across Aotearoa and include: Beronia Scott, Te Hemoata Henare, Ann Margaret Strickland, Takutai Watts, Rawinia Weeva, Rosina Chan, Alan Chan, Jennifer Pountney, Tūī Stewart, Waimirirangi Howell, Lisa Pahau, Marama Morehu Batiyaka, Kiri Wikiriwhi and Danny Horsford. Event highlights include: Kiri Wikiriwhi's 2024 People's Choice Award-winning piece, woven from recycled white box strapping using the traditional mautahi weave. Rosina Chan's intricately designed pihepihe, featuring a dragon motif within a tāniko band – celebrating her whakapapa and mastery as a kairaranga. Te Whaea Witika, lead weaver, says: 'Now in its second year, PAPA – Papatūānuku | Whakapapa is more than a fashion event – it's a celebration of community, culture, and creativity. It showcases the artistry of Māori weaving alongside live performance, music, and wearable expression. 'Through the works of wearable art that will be walked down the red carpet at Kāhui St David's, we hope to inspire future generations to weave, to care for the environment, and to continue the practice of using natural materials.' In addition to the stunning woven artworks, attendees can enjoy live performances from Te Whare Karioi, Maraea Mokaraka, music by DJ Jeremy Robb, and delicious kai served by Te Whānau Toi Tupu – a collective of weavers raising funds for a cultural exchange trip to Thailand. 'We're also inviting rangatahi from the local community, with students from nearby high schools gaining hands-on experience in the creative arts and proudly stepping onto the red carpet,' says Te Whaea Witika. 'Audiences will be part of the celebration too, through the People's Choice Award – voting for their favourite piece and helping to recognise the incredible talent of our artists.' Paul Baragwanath, Director of the Friends of St David's Trust, concludes: 'Hosting PAPA is a true privilege. This is a space for everyone – where cultural expression, performance, and beauty meet. 'It's a thrill to see these woven works of art come to life on the red carpet of the Great Hall of Kāhui St David's. We are inviting people of all cultural backgrounds to come and celebrate Matariki, music and wearable art.'
Scoop
12 hours ago
- Scoop
PAPA: Woven Wearable Art Returns To Auckland For One Day Only
Press Release – Kahui St David's Auckland, New Zealand – In celebration of Matariki, PAPA – Papatūānuku | Whakapapa returns next month to Auckland with a one-day-only event that showcases the finest in woven wearable art. Free to the public, PAPA – Papatūānuku | Whakapapa brings the rich traditions of Māori weaving and cultural expression to life through fashion, music, and performance, transforming Kāhui St David's into a vibrant runway. Curated by Te Whaea Witika and Beronia Scott, who are part of Te Puāwai Raranga, a collective of contemporary and traditional Māori artists and weavers based in Ōrākei, Auckland, the showcase will feature a collection of pieces from across New Zealand, woven from harakeke, natural fibres, and upcycled materials such as plastic bottle caps, tivaevae, and fast fashion waste. Some pieces take up to a year to complete. These works of wearable art will be modelled by participants of all ages, from rangatahi (youth) to kaumātua (elders). This year's featured artists hail from across Aotearoa and include: Beronia Scott, Te Hemoata Henare, Ann Margaret Strickland, Takutai Watts, Rawinia Weeva, Rosina Chan, Alan Chan, Jennifer Pountney, Tūī Stewart, Waimirirangi Howell, Lisa Pahau, Marama Morehu Batiyaka, Kiri Wikiriwhi and Danny Horsford. Event highlights include: Kiri Wikiriwhi's 2024 People's Choice Award-winning piece, woven from recycled white box strapping using the traditional mautahi weave. Rosina Chan's intricately designed pihepihe, featuring a dragon motif within a tāniko band – celebrating her whakapapa and mastery as a kairaranga. Te Whaea Witika, lead weaver, says: 'Now in its second year, PAPA – Papatūānuku | Whakapapa is more than a fashion event – it's a celebration of community, culture, and creativity. It showcases the artistry of Māori weaving alongside live performance, music, and wearable expression. 'Through the works of wearable art that will be walked down the red carpet at Kāhui St David's, we hope to inspire future generations to weave, to care for the environment, and to continue the practice of using natural materials.' In addition to the stunning woven artworks, attendees can enjoy live performances from Te Whare Karioi, Maraea Mokaraka, music by DJ Jeremy Robb, and delicious kai served by Te Whānau Toi Tupu – a collective of weavers raising funds for a cultural exchange trip to Thailand. 'We're also inviting rangatahi from the local community, with students from nearby high schools gaining hands-on experience in the creative arts and proudly stepping onto the red carpet,' says Te Whaea Witika. 'Audiences will be part of the celebration too, through the People's Choice Award – voting for their favourite piece and helping to recognise the incredible talent of our artists.' Paul Baragwanath, Director of the Friends of St David's Trust, concludes: 'Hosting PAPA is a true privilege. This is a space for everyone – where cultural expression, performance, and beauty meet. 'It's a thrill to see these woven works of art come to life on the red carpet of the Great Hall of Kāhui St David's. We are inviting people of all cultural backgrounds to come and celebrate Matariki, music and wearable art.'
Scoop
12 hours ago
- Scoop
PAPA: Woven Wearable Art Returns To Auckland For One Day Only
Auckland, New Zealand – In celebration of Matariki, PAPA – Papatūānuku | Whakapapa returns next month to Auckland with a one-day-only event that showcases the finest in woven wearable art. What: PAPA – Papatūānuku | Whakapapa – Woven Wearable Arts Showcase When: Saturday 7 June 2025 | 1:00pm–3:00pm Where: Kāhui St David's, 70 Khyber Pass Road, Grafton, Auckland Tickets: Free entry – registration essential via Eventfinda Website: Free to the public, PAPA – Papatūānuku | Whakapapa brings the rich traditions of Māori weaving and cultural expression to life through fashion, music, and performance, transforming Kāhui St David's into a vibrant runway. Curated by Te Whaea Witika and Beronia Scott, who are part of Te Puāwai Raranga, a collective of contemporary and traditional Māori artists and weavers based in Ōrākei, Auckland, the showcase will feature a collection of pieces from across New Zealand, woven from harakeke, natural fibres, and upcycled materials such as plastic bottle caps, tivaevae, and fast fashion waste. Some pieces take up to a year to complete. These works of wearable art will be modelled by participants of all ages, from rangatahi (youth) to kaumātua (elders). This year's featured artists hail from across Aotearoa and include: Beronia Scott, Te Hemoata Henare, Ann Margaret Strickland, Takutai Watts, Rawinia Weeva, Rosina Chan, Alan Chan, Jennifer Pountney, Tūī Stewart, Waimirirangi Howell, Lisa Pahau, Marama Morehu Batiyaka, Kiri Wikiriwhi and Danny Horsford. Event highlights include: Kiri Wikiriwhi's 2024 People's Choice Award-winning piece, woven from recycled white box strapping using the traditional mautahi weave. Rosina Chan's intricately designed pihepihe, featuring a dragon motif within a tāniko band – celebrating her whakapapa and mastery as a kairaranga. Te Whaea Witika, lead weaver, says: 'Now in its second year, PAPA – Papatūānuku | Whakapapa is more than a fashion event - it's a celebration of community, culture, and creativity. It showcases the artistry of Māori weaving alongside live performance, music, and wearable expression. 'Through the works of wearable art that will be walked down the red carpet at Kāhui St David's, we hope to inspire future generations to weave, to care for the environment, and to continue the practice of using natural materials.' In addition to the stunning woven artworks, attendees can enjoy live performances from Te Whare Karioi, Maraea Mokaraka, music by DJ Jeremy Robb, and delicious kai served by Te Whānau Toi Tupu - a collective of weavers raising funds for a cultural exchange trip to Thailand. 'We're also inviting rangatahi from the local community, with students from nearby high schools gaining hands-on experience in the creative arts and proudly stepping onto the red carpet,' says Te Whaea Witika. 'Audiences will be part of the celebration too, through the People's Choice Award - voting for their favourite piece and helping to recognise the incredible talent of our artists.' Paul Baragwanath, Director of the Friends of St David's Trust, concludes: 'Hosting PAPA is a true privilege. This is a space for everyone - where cultural expression, performance, and beauty meet. 'It's a thrill to see these woven works of art come to life on the red carpet of the Great Hall of Kāhui St David's. We are inviting people of all cultural backgrounds to come and celebrate Matariki, music and wearable art.'
