HONONGA – CONNECTION 2025

by Te Aroha Tauroa

Date: Jun 1 – Jun 30Space: Under The Stairs

This exhibition celebrates and acknowledges Matariki; a time for reflection, celebration, and planning for the future. Looking back at the past year, we reflect on major events that helped shape our lives. We also acknowledge special people, or people who were significant to us who have passed on.

Te Aroha Tauroa’s paintings and raranga (weaving) connect her to people – her family, friends, wider community, and to people who have passed on. It also connects her to ngaa atua (the stars) and to te taiao (the environment).

One of Te Aroha’s works is an interactive piece called MAUMAHARA – REMEMBRANCE.

Te Aroha would like to invite the public to write a short message on a length of ribbon to someone special who has passed on. If the message is to remain private, the message can be written on a piece of paper, folded and tied on to a ribbon. During the exhibition, the ribbons will be suspended from a manu aute and anchored with a stone. Afterwards, Te Aroha will burn the messages to set them free.

Matariki is a time of abundance. The crops have been harvested and stored. The work has been done, so its time to connect, reconnect and celebrate with family, friends and the community. To share food, laughter, sing songs, tell stories, and play games. One of those activities was kite flying. In times past, manu aute (kites) were mainly used as a recreational activity, however larger ones had other uses. One was for communication, to send messages to other people, or to the spiritual realm. This was achieved by attaching messages to the string and then setting them free.

After some reflection of the past year and celebrating the present, it’s time to look up at the stars for a tohu or sign and plan for the future – or even more simply put, to wish upon a star – Hiwaitirangi.

Photograph: Part of Interactive piece, MAUMAHARA – REMEMBRANCE