Tu Tangata

Colourful Korowhawhai panels from a whanau collective

Date: Dec 4 – Jan 13Space: Mezzanine

Marama Ngawhika is a mokopuna of four pou. Her maternal grandparents Te Paea Tiaho Heremia and Tureiti Mihaka Ratahi and paternal grandparents Taneharatua Ngawhika and Harete Poihipi Kameta. She is the daughter of Tewehekore Ngawhikia and Puanani Joanna Ratahi. She is sister to five brothers and three sisters, and is herself a mother to a son and daughter, who both were the initial reason for Marama’s interest in Kohanga Reo.

Tu Tangata; Stand tall and be counted, is a body of work that reflects the kaupapa of Kohanga Reo from a parent’s perspective.

Kohanga Reo is an initiative that grew from the 1970’s Tu Tangata project; a Maori language and cultural revitalisation stategy for families and their children.

This exhibition includes artists from the Kohanga whanau. Parents aged between 20 and 60 years, and their children aged between 1 year and 30 have worked collaboratively to complete colourful Korowhaiwhai panels.