logo
Event noticeboard: Master weavers, bespoke stamps and plus ones

Event noticeboard: Master weavers, bespoke stamps and plus ones

The Spinoff22-05-2025

The Spinoff's top picks of events from around the motu.
Wayyy down below, I've featured an exhibition in Wellington titled Plus 1. Artists were invited to be part of a show, as long as they invited another artist to create or exhibit with them. In the gallery's text, it says there's an 'inherent challenge' in bringing a plus one to events. The challenge is, apparently, about how that plus one will fit (or not) into the crowd at the event. Will they be super awkward and clingy? Or will they be so charming everyone will forget all about you? I can see how this is a delicate balancing act, but for me, this isn't the challenge. My challenge, surely shared by many others who have a ball and chain, is to not take the same plus one absolutely everywhere, even to events they have no interest in yet someone else might love.
A partner is a very easy plus one. They're basically obligated to follow you around, they don't flake out and your budgets are almost always aligned. While convenience and reliability are very, very seductive qualities, wouldn't it be nice to see a friend you haven't seen in a while? There will be more to talk about than what's in the fridge and when should we vacuum the car. This week, make a friend your plus one.
Te Whare Taonga o Waikato, 1 Grantham Street, Kirikiriroa Hamilton
10am-5pm, daily until August 10
Free
He Aa I Uta, He Aa I Tai is a large-scale exhibition with new works, both traditional and contemporary, by members of Te Roopu Raranga Whatu o Aotearoa. The roopu's origins start in 1983, when the Māori and Pacific Island Arts Council invited a group of 10 women to look at the needs of weavers and to come up with ideas for supporting them. Three years later the women formed a weavers committee called Aotearoa Moana Nui A Kiwa Weavers. They wanted to nurture, foster and preserve the techniques and the love of weaving. In 1994, changes to government structures and funding led to the Māori and Pacific weavers separating and Te Roopu Raranga Whatu o Aotearoa emerged as the first Māori weavers' national collective.
Today, members of Te Roopu Raranga Whatu o Aotearoa are scattered throughout the country and represented by an elected committee of six members. They host a biennial Weavers National Hui, put together exhibitions, publications, workshops, wānanga and art exchanges and publish a quarterly newsletter.
This particular exhibition is notable for the sheer number of pieces by master weavers. There's work by Maureen Lander, Edna Pahewa, Dale Cousens, Ereni Putere, Gina Coatsworth, Margaret Rose Ngawaka and more. It's worth a trip to Hamilton, especially because in the very same gallery there's also a Robyn Kahukiwa exhibition touring from the New Zealand Portrait Gallery.
Northland
3pm Sunday, May 25
$20 – $30 per person for a meal (bookings recommended)
Enjoy your music with some gravy! This week, Paul Lafotanoa will be on the drums, with Cookie Monster trio Rawhiti and Jane on guitars and Henry on bass and vocals.
Ngunguru Sports & Recreation Club, Kopipi Crescent, Ngunguru 0173
7.30pm Saturday, May 24
Free
Auckland covers legends KARMA will be playing hits from the 70s, 80s, 90s and 00s and they're requesting you come dance in your finest retro threads.
Tāmaki Makaurau
Objectspace, 13 Rose Road, Grey Lynn
10am-5pm on weekdays and 10am-4pm on the weekend until June 1
Free
Veils of muka hang from the ceiling, kororā pelts are stitched to a cloak and there's intricate quilting, embroidery and weaving.
Inspired by Japan's Eki stamp tradition, this quest begins with picking up a special passport which guides you around the neighbourhood. On the way you collect bespoke stamps by Sur Collective.
Tokoroa
The Yard Music Cafe, 9a Bow Street, Volcom Lane, Raglan
7.30pm Friday, May 23
$15
Waikato's Mondogreen promise 'Latin-inspired rhythms, reggae-injected grooves, chill melodic lines and guitar-heavy notes of slinky indie rock riffs and psychedelic shoegaze'.
Te Whanganui-a-Tara
Visual art: Plus 1
Jhana Millers Gallery, Level 1, 85 Victoria Street, Te Aro
11am-5pm Wednesday – Friday, 11am-4pm Saturday, until June 7
Free
Seventeen artists were invited to bring along someone else — an artist they admire, want to work with or feel a connection to. The result is a mix of harmony and playful dissonance.
Unity Books, 57 Willis Street, Wellington
6pm Monday, May 26
Free
Speeches, readings and kai to celebrate a new collection of essays on climate change, grief, indigenous reclamation and more. Fun fact: some of the essays first appeared on this very website.
Marlborough
Blenheim Musical Theatre is performing the iconic 80s classic.
Ōtautahi
'I hope this collection will be the key to those unopened doors. Let yourself in.' OK Alison.
Ōtepoti
Music: Mim Jensen, Shadow of the Gift release show
Pearl Diver, 73 Saint Andrew Street, Central Dunedin
8pm Saturday, May 24
$29
Mim Jensen fearlessly and honestly shares emotional deep-dives through her songwriting and performing.
Southland
No experience, no partner and no boots needed for this fun one-hour workshop.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Multi-Media Artist Maureen Lander Unites More Than 100 Makers For New Exhibition
Multi-Media Artist Maureen Lander Unites More Than 100 Makers For New Exhibition

Scoop

time2 hours ago

  • Scoop

Multi-Media Artist Maureen Lander Unites More Than 100 Makers For New Exhibition

A major new exhibition opens at NPDC's Govett-Brewster Art Gallery | Len Lye Centre on 14 June, showcases large, collaborative fibre artworks connecting generations through the innovation and knowledge of traditional Māori weaving. He Tukutuku Auahatanga: Maureen Lander with Community, is led by multi-media artist Dr. Maureen Lander MNZM (Ngāpuhi, Te Hikutū) and brings together more than 100 weavers, school children, environmental leaders, and makers from across Taranaki and Aotearoa New Zealand. He Tukutuku Auahatanga is 'a release of knowledge gradually through creativity' and invites audiences to explore concepts of kaitiakitanga (guardianship), whanaungatanga (relationship through shared experiences and working together), and whakapapa as expressed through raranga (weaving). Maureen is celebrated internationally for her innovative use of Māori weaving techniques to create large contemporary artworks, inextricably interwoven with the location, context and community for which her works are created. Four of the installations connect to works she has shown in the gallery over the past four decades, the earliest of which is the group exhibition Te Ao Hurihuri in 1987. One installation revisits the unique collection of kete iti (small kete) from Puke Ariki Museum that Maureen first became acquainted with in 1987. They will be feature alongside more than 100 new kete made by 32 weavers. Ngā Puna Waiora, was made by Maureen in 1993 with tamariki and staff at Te Pi'ipi'inga Kākano Mai I Rangiātea Kura Kaupapa Māori, local weavers and whānau (family) has been recreated with the new iteration drawing together student environmental leaders from several local schools in the Te Ara Taiao programme, to enhance the mauri (life force or essence) and ecology of the whenua, awa and moana. 'I am delighted that our next generations are growing the seeds that were sown 32 years ago in the Ngā Puna Waiora oTaranaki Maunga installation,' says Maureen. 'A new group of tamariki are showcasing how these ideas can be developed and translated into a visible art form that threads together their research, creativity, learning and kaitiangatanga (care) for te taiao (the environment).' Each student has expressed their aspiration for the health and well-being of their local awa by painting on 'mauri stones' that are integral parts of the installation. 'Maureen, in the role of the lead artist, has conceptualised the overall composition and vocabulary of each of the five collaborative installations on display, providing instructions to her collaborators that determine the size, technique and form of their contributions,' says exhibition curator Taarati Taiaroa (Te Āti Awa, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Apa). Gallery director Dr Zara Stanhope says the exhibition recognises Maureen's role as a mentor and collaborator with makers of all generations. 'This is a deeply significant exhibition for the Govett-Brewster for both honouring the artist and the innovations that she encourages, and Maureen's ongoing collaborative relations that have drawn in new generations of makers.' Opening day activities include the youth environmental leaders talking about their work (10.30am), artist-led tours from 1pm and at 2.30pm five of the artists will be involved in the kete iti kaupapa in conversation session. Visitors are also invited to become 'star weavers' as part of the Star Waka installation, gifting their creation and choosing another's to take home in an act of reciprocity and remembrance. The exhibition opening perfectly aligns with Matariki me Puanga season, when the appearance of Puanga signals gathering, remembrance and looking to the year ahead. He Tukutuku Auahatanga: Maureen Lander with Community runs 14 June to 12 October 2025. Go to our website for more information. FAST FACTS He Tukutuku Auahatanga: Maureen Lander with Community features the work of about 70 Taranaki tamariki (9-12 years) from Devon Intermediate, Te Pi'ipi'nga Kakano Mai I Rangiātea Kura Kaupapa Māori, Welbourn School, Central School, Tikorangi School, Omata School, He Mokopuna He Tupuna, Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Tamarongo. Taranaki weavers whose work is featured include: Mako Jones, Audra Potaka, Tara-lee Manu, Ngahina Hohaia, Ngahina Wharehoka, Sally Hikaka, Karen Clark, Kim Kahu, Joanne Ngaia. The Govett-Brewster Art Gallery opened in 1970, funded by a bequest from local woman Monica Brewster (nee Govett). Around 85,000 people visit the gallery each year. The gallery presents a regularly changing programme of contemporary art exhibitions, events and conversations. It also runs an art and design store, independent cinema, and publishes a range of art books.

Cathedral lit up for Matariki
Cathedral lit up for Matariki

Otago Daily Times

time10 hours ago

  • Otago Daily Times

Cathedral lit up for Matariki

The Christ Church Cathedral has been illuminated by a powerful projection for Matariki. The Hurihanga projection was created by Sam Emerson (Ngāi Tahu) from the Offline Collective in collaboration with collective members Michael Duggan and Charlie Pitts. Hurihanga, which is part of the Flare Ōtautahi Street Art Festival, transforms the cathedral's exterior into a canvas of light, honouring stories of renewal, remembrance, and whakapapa through breathtaking visuals and mātauranga Māori. Flare project manager Selina Faimalo said it invites people "to pause, wonder, reflect and connect in a conversation". "Hurihanga adds meaningful layers to the iconic cathedral to reflect Ōtautahi's navigation of our past, present and future to reveal our connections to place and each other in recognition of Matariki," she said. Cathedral dean Ben Truman said the building has a long history of celebrating special and civic occasions, alongside diocesan events. "Offering the cathedral as a canvas for this Matariki celebration display continues our Anglican legacy of bicultural celebration and is an exciting way to unite our community around whakapapa and whakapono, remembering our personal and collective histories of family and faith." Hurihanga was paid for by donors who supported a crowdfunding campaign, highlighting the power of the community. Said Emerson: "We created Hurihanga to reflect ancestral stories and the significance of Puaka, the star to which Te Waipounamu looks for Matariki. "The brightest star in Tautoru (Orion's belt), in Māori mythology Puaka's appearance means Te Waka o Raki is rising to bring loved ones to their final resting place in the celestial kingdom, a reminder to acknowledge those who came before us, but also to celebrate the present, and to dream for the future. "Hurihanga harnesses this wairua and draws on the symbolism of the cycles of time, of wind, rain, lightning and the growing, harvesting and storage of food, to create a sprawling, transformative story that takes viewers on a journey far beyond the physical setting," Emerson said. Hurihanga will be turned on every night from 6pm-10pm for a month from Wednesday, June 11.

Lighting Up Christ Church Cathedral For Matariki
Lighting Up Christ Church Cathedral For Matariki

Scoop

time10 hours ago

  • Scoop

Lighting Up Christ Church Cathedral For Matariki

Press Release – Christchurch Cathedral Reinstatement Hurihanga transforms the Cathedral's exterior into a canvas of light, honouring stories of renewal, remembrance, and whakapapa through breathtaking visuals and mtauranga Mori. Flare Ōtautahi Street Art Festival, Offline Collective and Christ Church Cathedral Present As part of Ōtautahi's Matariki celebrations, the city's most iconic heritage building has been illuminated by a powerful projection created by the Offline Collective's Sam Emerson (Ngāi Tahu) in collaboration with collective members Michael Duggan and Charlie Pitts. Hurihanga transforms the Cathedral's exterior into a canvas of light, honouring stories of renewal, remembrance, and whakapapa through breathtaking visuals and mātauranga Māori. Flare project manager Selina Faimalo said this latest public art activation invites us to pause, wonder, reflect and connect in a conversation. ' Hurihanga adds meaningful layers to the iconic Cathedral to reflect Ōtautahi's navigation of our past, present and future to reveal our connections to place and each other in recognition of Matariki' she said. The Cathedral's Dean, Ben Truman, noted Christ Church Cathedral has a long history of celebrating all kinds of special and civic occasions, alongside diocesan events. He said, 'offering the Cathedral as a canvas for this Matariki celebration display continues our Anglican legacy of bicultural celebration and is an exciting way to unite our community around whakapapa and whakapono, remembering our personal and collective histories of family and faith.' Hurihanga has been made possible by many donors who supported a crowdfunding campaign, highlighting the power of the community. The artistic lead Emerson said, 'We created Hurihanga to reflect ancestral stories and the significance of Puaka, the star to which Te Waipounamu looks for Matariki. The brightest star in Tautoru (Orion's Belt), in Māori mythology Puaka's appearance means Te Waka o Raki is rising to bring loved ones to their final resting place in the celestial kingdom, a reminder to acknowledge those who came before us, but also to celebrate the present, and to dream for the future.' 'Hurihanga harnesses this wairua and draws on the symbolism of the cycles of time, of wind, rain, lightning and the growing, harvesting and storage of food, to create a sprawling, transformative story that takes viewers on a journey far beyond the physical setting,' Emerson said. Suggesting the power of art and the diverse ways we can creatively activate our shared landscape, through the powerful lens of Te Aō Māori imagery and storytelling, Hurihanga is a must-see! Explore a new way of seeing the heart of the city this winter with this striking collaboration every day from 6pm – 10pm from tonight. Wednesday 11 June, for one month.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store