Skip Content
Ngā Kete Toi celebrates the work of 30 Maunga Kura Toi tauira that have reached the halfway point of their study with Te Wānanga o Aotearoa.
 
The tauira-directed exhibition, which opened in Palmerston North last week, features work by both first-year tauira and those studying towards their Maunga Kura Toi (Bachelor of Māori Art) in raranga, whakairo and rauangi (multimedia).
 
It is one of two art exhibitions that Te Wānanga o Aotearoa is hosting – the other being Te Kāhui Maunga Kura Toi in Hastings.
 
Kaiako Glenn Hauraki says the exhibition is about encouraging positive pathways for tauira through toi (the arts), creating networks, exhibiting and showing them that there is a career in the arts.
 
Glenn says the exhibition brings together the different strands of  Te Whare Pora (weaving), Toimairangi (multimedia) and Te Whare o Ruatepupuke (carving).  
 
Thirty tauira from Wellington, Palmerston North, New Plymouth and Hastings are contributing their mahi.
 
Among those is Level 6 Maunga Kura Toi Bachelor of Māori Contemporary Art tauira Oriwa Morgan-Ward.
 
Oriwa, who lived abroad for 40 years wanted to further her Te Ao Māori education through painting and chose Te Wānanga o Aotearoa because of kaiako Sandy Adsett “one of Aotearoa’s profound Māori painters of our day”.

Nga-kete-Oriwa-MorganWard-Artwork
Artwork by Oriwa Morgan-Ward on display at Ngā kete toi exhibition
 
Oriwa is not a stranger to exhibitions having displayed her work at Kōkiri Te Awamutu, Taiwhenua Heretaunga, Puawai 2014 and Pataka Toi 2015.
 
“My artwork is an expression of who I am in this world as a Māori woman, my role as a parent and my contributions back to my culture and whānau,” she said.
 
Oriwa is considering more te reo Māori papers on completion of her degree and to continue her artistic path.
 
“As a platform I am hoping to keep my skills within the creative world; whether it be teaching, galleries or museum work  and giving back to my iwi in some way promoting Ringa Toi.”
 
Another artist James Wall of Ngāti Tuwharetoa whakairo works represent kaitiakitanga.
 
He chose study at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa because it was a Māori-based institution and he felt a connection with the organisation’s mauri.

Nga-kete-James-wall-with-taiaha
James wall shows his taiaha, his pieces are on display at Papaiōea
 
“I want to carry on with maybe a teaching paper so I can teach and pass down the Toanga of Whakairo,” he said.
 
Ngā Kete Toi, School of Whakairo Māori, 32 Ngata Street, Palmerston North.
 
The exhibition is open from 9am to 3pm, Monday to Thursday and runs until October 1.
 Back to news & events

Published On: 21 September 2015

Article By: James Ihaka



Other Articles

  • 27 May 2025

    Wānanga partner with Waikato-Tainui to preserve and protect taonga

    Te Wānanga o Aotearoa and Waikato-Tainui launch Te Tohu Tiaki Taonga, a new programme designed to equip iwi with the skills to preserve and protect taonga. Co-designed with iwi and experts, this kaupapa Māori qualification supports cultural archiving and heritage roles while upholding tikanga Māori.

  • 23 May 2025

    Rangatahi return to founding campus of Te Wānanga o Aotearoa

    Rangatahi from Te Wharekura o Ngā Purapura o Te Aroha and Te Awamutu College return to the founding campus of Te Wānanga o Aotearoa to study mahi toi through the Visual Arts Secondary Tertiary Programme.

  • 20 May 2025

    Marae-Based Research: A Vehicle for Reclamation

    Explore Kimiora Raerino’s inspiring journey from urban Māori upbringing to PhD researcher and Senior Research Fellow at Te Manawahoukura. Discover how marae-based research and māra kai became powerful tools for reconnection, cultural identity, and community wellbeing.

  • 14 May 2025

    A full circle moment from tauira to kaiako

    Explore the inspiring journey of Krystle Nikora, from tauira to kaiako at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa. Discover how her passion for te reo Māori blossomed and led her to teach He Pī ka Rere Level 3 and 4.