Past, present and future tauira of Toimairangi are taking part in an art exhibition which has become part of the launch of Matariki celebrations in Kahungunu.

Heretaunga kaiako support, Michelle Mataira, says along with Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, the Iwi Toi Kahungunu Artist Collective is also involved in staging the Pātaka exhibition, being held @ Hastings Community Art Centre.

To be a member of Iwi Toi Kahungunu, artists must either whakapapa to Kahungunu or live there.

“Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated pays for the space, we just had to pull the artists together. We’ve got Toimairangi students, and graduates and students who are between courses but still doing art.”

The exhibition is titled Pātaka and Michelle – a Toi Mairangi graduate herself - says rather than concentrate on food or Matariki, the organisers have metaphorically filled the Pātaka with art.

She says many of the works are priced at under $500. 

“We wanted to make the work affordable so everyone has an opportunity to buy an artwork.”  The exhibition opened last week and is on until this weekend.