Over three days in July 2023, artists Chanel Duff (South Africa), Geoffrey Matautia (Samoan), Olivia Stewart (Ngāti Manu, Ngā Puhi) and Ashleigh Taupaki (Samoan, Ngāti Hako) were hosted by several organisations in the Hawke's Bay. 

At MTG Hawkes Bay, the group was hosted by Curator Toni MacKinnon and Curator Taonga Māori Te Hira Henderson, touring Henderson's exhibition Kura Taonga, voices of Kahungungu. The artists had the meet with students at Toimairangi, a school of Māori visual art based in Heretaunga. They were hosted by artist Tracy Keith, artist Michelle Mataira and artist and architect Alex Heperi. 

Architect Jacob Scott walked the artists through his redevelopment of the waterfront site Marine Parade in Ahuriri Napier and discussed Scott's current project developing a new forecourt at Hawke's Bay airport. 

At Te Whare Toi o Heretaunga – Hastings City Art Gallery, the group were hosted by Manager and Curator Sophie Davis, where they viewed Design Kahungunu: Iwi Toi Kahungunu, an exhibition exploring designs based on traditional kōwhaiwhai and heke patterns which are intentionally linked to whakapapa. 

View the photo essay by Geoffery Matautia commissioned for and published in Art News Aotearoa °199, Spring 2023 here.

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