Skip Content
whirikoka tauira

A group of first-time museum exhibitors from Whirikoka will see their exhibition nominated at the Aotearoa Museum Awards.

Tauira from the Kāwai Raupapa Level 4 and Toi Paematua Level 5 programmes had their works featured at the recent Kete Puāwai - Basket of Evolution exhibition at the Tairāwhiti Museum.

Their exhibition was a display of their contemporary work including kākahu, whāriki and kete that stood alongside the museum’s collections of taonga.

Kete Puāwai Basket of Evolution was so well-received that it is now nominated in the Exhibition Excellence - Taonga Māori category in the 2018 New Zealand Museum Awards.

Erin Rauna, Whirikoka kaiako for Kāwai Raupapa and Toi Paematua, said her tauira were thrilled that the recognition of their exhibition would feature at the awards, which will be held in Christchurch on May 20.

They were also honoured to work alongside museum staff who allowed them to view the collection of taonga before inviting them to exhibit.

“We were very fortunate that we were contacted and invited into the museum to view taonga in the archives. From that visit our tauira created their own pieces incorporating elements inspired by these beautiful taonga,” said Erin.

“We were then able to exhibit alongside these taonga, which was an absolute privilege in doing this.”

The exhibition was divided in to three sections.

Taonga displayed in He Kura Ranga Wairua section were selected from the museum collection by the tauira as those that had most inspired their mahi.

In Toimatapu each tauira kairaranga presented their toi alongside a biography and text explaining their raranga journey.

And Rukutia te rau o Hunā focused on weaving materials, functions and tools and included muka and harakeke samples that manuhiri could touch.

 Back to news & events

Published On:

Article By:



Other Articles

  • 20 August 2025

    Gain cultural confidence in the corporate world through Piharoa workshops

    Te Wānanga o Aotearoa’s Piharoa workshops empower corporate leaders with cultural confidence through mātauranga Māori and Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Discover how this executive development programme fosters authentic engagement with Māori communities and transforms workplace culture.

  • 20 August 2025

    He aha tēnei mea te Tāne Māori? Tu's Rangahau journey

    Tutakangahau (Tu) Williams, recipient of the Dr Morehu McDonald Residency, shares his Rangahau journey exploring Māori masculinity and identity. Learn how his passion for reading, writing, and kaupapa Māori research is shaping his path toward a PhD and future as a kairangahau.

  • 14 August 2025

    Born to heal through rongoā and mirimiri

    Leeann Warena’s journey through Te Wānanga o Aotearoa’s Rongoā Māori programme helped her transform a lifelong gift into a healing practice. Discover how mirimiri, mātauranga Māori, and purposeful study empowered her to support others and embrace her calling.

  • 13 August 2025

    Tautoko turned transformation for Northland local

    Piri-Kapua Allen’s journey at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa began with supporting his mum and evolved into a personal transformation through te reo Māori. Discover how whānau, whakawhanaungatanga, and a supportive learning environment helped him reclaim identity and thrive.