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.'
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