Te Whare Tapere

KAI TE WHAKAMATUA ANŌ TE IWI-The People are Resting

This exhibition is a partnership with the kaimahi from Te Whare Tapere and the Canterbury Museum. The exhibition honours the craftsmanship and significance of the tools employed by takata whenua across generations.

Matariki and Puaka are a time for Aotearoa to honour the traditions and tikaka of Māori- a time of reflection, remembrance and most importantly rest. This exhibition honours the work of Māori across all generations, including those currently leading the regeneration of our culture, by having a moment of tools down, and rest.

KAI TE WHAKAMATUA ANŌ TE IWI
18 June- 13 July
Te Whare Tapere

In 1835 Te Whakaputanga was signed as a Declaration of Independence from the Crown.

In 1975 Dame Whina Cooper led the land march to parliament.

In 2004 Iwi mobilised to hīkoi against the Foreshore and Seabed act.

From 2016 Manna Whenua and Tangata te Tiriiti have peacefully held space in Ihumatao.

To be Māori is to be political.

This Thursday 30 May there has been a call to action to mobilise and peacefully protest.

Protest are serious kaupapa. Please do not participate lightly, consider all the factors and respect others decisions on participation.

Te Whare Tapere will be closed Thursday 30 June.

Thats a wrap e te whānau!

Kā mihi to all of our amazing artists and those of you who came along this week.

Kā mihi to our amazing venue

Watch this space for some more amazing kaupapa.

Tonight’s showing of Te Kaupoi: Extracts will go ahead at 7.30 but our beautiful Te Reo Tautito pre-show entertainment has been struck by the dreaded mate korona / covid. We’re sending massive healing vibes and aroha to them.

Soooo, arrive early or arrive on time, Te Whare Tapere is so excited to bring you the final showing of Te Kaupoi: Extracts, TONIGHT, 7.30 pm at Altiora.

Mā te wā

Ila /// Ira

We are so excited to welcome Kura Turuwhenua (Kāi Tahu; Ngāti Wheke, Ngāti Porou) to our pukukohe section of our closing event for this week of Te Whare Tapere LIVE.
Kura has won the NZ Raw Comedy Quest and been awarded Best Comedy Newcomer as well as being nominated for an award for comic originality.

Come along to ILA /// IRA to engage with the powerful voices of Māori and African storytellers, spoken word poets and a special guest comedian, brought together by a creative who shares both whakapapa. This event aims to push boundaries and open eyes by showing that there is definitely more that unites us than divides us.

Ila /// Ira
25 May 7- 8.30pm
Altiora
Te Whare Tapere LIVE

We are so excited to be running Te Whare Tapere this week with our awesome neighbours

As happens with life, we have had to update our schedule a little bit, but please follow the link in bio, purchase some tickets and come to support some of amazing Māori and BIPOC Arts and Performance Community.

Can't wait to see you there!

ACT ANNOUNCEMENT- Kerepeti and Savannah

Having just come off the Regionals kapahaka stage and off to Te Matatini 2025, Savanah and KP have been representing Te Waipounamu in kapahaka for years. Both accomplished performers in their own right, Te Whare Tapere is proud to present our own Tahu creatives Savanah and Kerepeti who will be bringing a compilation of their favourite waiata Māori with some story telling in between.

Te Whare Tapere LIVE
Waiata Māori
24 May 7.30- 9.30pm
Altiora

Kā mihi to everyone who came for our opening last night!

Te Waiata o te Kuaka
14 May - 9 June
Te Whare Tapere

ACT ANNOUNCEMENT- Open Studio with Maungarongo Te Kawa

Maungarongo is currently one of the Creative Residents at Te Matatiki Toi Ora the Arts Centre and has an exhibition running in Te Whare Tapere; Te Waiata o te Kuaka. Check out Ron's Studio in Blank Canvas.

Maungarongo Te Kawa is a takatāpui fabric artist, educator, and storyteller. Grounded in te ao Māori, his practice makes old pūrākau newly relevant using brilliant colour, fluid design, and infectious good humour. Following a vibrant career in costume design and fashion, Te Kawa dedicated himself to full-time art-making and teaching. In addition to producing his own elaborate whakapapa quilts, he runs sewing workshops, guiding participants to express their creativity and genealogy through fabric. Te Kawa’s works are held in a wide range of private and public collections, including those of Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū, the Dowse Art Museum, and the University of Auckland Waipapa Taumata Rau.

Te Whare Tapere LIVE
Open Studio with Maungarongo Te Kawa
Friday 24 May, 1- 4pm
Blank Canvas

P.S. There is no way we could change this picture to black and white! Long live the glitter and colours! 🌈

ACT ANNOUNCEMENT- Kōrerorero with Mahdis & Juanita

Join Mahdis and Juanita for a one off kōrero where they'll talk about everything from creativity and storytelling to identity and intersectionality. What kind of world do you envision for yourself and those around you? Is it something you've thought about? Or maybe you want to hear more about decolonising the spaces around you? Or the potential for te tiriti based relationships. Then this is the kōrero for you!

Mahdis Azarmandi is a Senior Lecturer in Educational Studies and Leadership at the University of Canterbury, where she also serves as the co-coordinator for the Bachelor of Youth and Community Leadership program. After earning her PhD from the National Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Otago, she held a position as Assistant Professor at DePauw University. Additionally, she has taught in Germany and Denmark. Her research focuses on addressing the notable absence of race in peace and conflict studies, alongside examining the interplay between colonization, imperialism, and white supremacy in the context of peace and violence.

Te Whare Tapere LIVE
Kōrerorero with Mahdis & Juanita
Saturday 25 May
Altiora

ACT ANNOUNCEMENT: Kommi me ana Taipō

Kommi me ana Taipō is a show not to be missed.
Presented by Kāi Tahu, Te-Āti-Awa, Ngāti Mutunga, Ngāti Tama and Taranaki artist Kommi Tamati- Elliffe.
Kommi me ana Taipō weaves together music, hip hop, reo Māori, storytelling and extraordinary stage craft into this one night only event. From the discombobulated to the epic, Kommi and their 'taipō' will have you crying out for more.

Te Whare Tapere LIVE
Kommi me ana Taipō
Friday 24 May
Altiora

ACT ANNOUNCEMENT: Te Reo Tautito

At Wednesday's show, you'll be treated to a special pre-show performance from Te Reo Tautito. He konohete reo Māori tēnei e whakanui ana i ngā kaiwhakatangitangi BIPOC. Te Reo Tautito will perform te reo Māori covers of waiata from some of their favourite BIPOC artists.

Te Whare Tapere LIVE
Te Reo Tautito & Te Kaupoi Extracts
22 May
Altiora

Te Kaupoi: Extracts

In this TWO NIGHT ONLY show and with kind permission from Whiti Hereaka and Playmarket, Juanita Hepi has pulled extracts from this eerily accurate play to bring you Te Kaupoi: Extracts, a one hour multidisciplinary live performance.

Featuring: Ariana Tikao, Kereana Mosen, Juanita Hepi and Josh Clarke, Te Kaupoi is a show NOT TO BE MISSED!

Written by Whiti Hereaka in 2010, Te Kaupoi is a tense political drama set in the near future where Māori bear the brunt of blame for civil unrest and are labelled “terrorists”. Notorious protestor “Te Kaupoi” broadcasts a pirate radio show urging the overthrow of the illegal government. On a small farm, Mary finds the battered body of a young woman, Sarah. Mary nurses Sarah back to health despite the misgiving her son, Zeke, has about the stranger.

Te Whare Tapere LIVE
Te Kaupoi: Extracts
21, 22 May
Altiora

Te Whare Tapere are so excited to be exhibiting; TE WAIATA O TE KUAKA with Maungarongo Te Kawa, Monday 13 May- 9 June.

is currently one of the creative residents at and will be exhibiting some pieces they made on a residency with Studio AiR Green in Norway.

The quilts depict a pūrākau from Whaea Sheridan Waitai, describing the migration of the Kuaka, from the Arctic Circle, Norway, to Ōtautahi.

Nau mai haere mai, and join us for the opening of this exhibition, Monday 13 May 5pm.

TE WAIATA O TE KUAKA with Maungarongo Te Kawa
Monday 13 May- 9 June
Te Whare Tapere

🌄🐤🌈

TE WHARE TAPERE Live tickets are now available!

https://www.artscentre.org.nz/whats-on/te-whare-tapere-live/

TE WHARE TAPERE/ LIVE is a four night celebration of Māori, Indigenous and BIPOC live performance.

Taking place at Te Matatiki Toi Ora, The Arts Centre, Altiora and the council arts hub Toi Auaha. This event features, multi-disciplinary performance, Waiata Māori and storytelling, workshops, a panel, spoken word and comedy.

TICKETS GOING LIVE FRIDAY 3 MAY

Nau mai, haere mai e te whānau.

Nau Mai ki Te Whare Tapere; Joelle, rāua kō Krystal. Introducing our powerhouse team producing TE WHARE TAPERE LIVE.

Thanks to Proudly Asian Theatre, Alif Theatre and Black Creatives Aotearoa for succession planning our next gen Māori & BIPOC producers through your brilliant Producer In Training programme. It is a pleasure and a privilege.

Joelle is an outstanding writer, director, singer, stage manager, actor and emerging producer who co-founded Asian Waves Productions. Their work has a significant impact on the creative sector in Ōtautahi giving rise to phenomenal BIPOC artists across our city.

Krystal hails from Ōtepoti / Dunedin and is a powerhouse producer and performer, you may have seen them in Dungeons and Comedians at Little A, in Frankenstein at The Court Theatre, mentoring tamariki and rakatahi at The Court Theatre or co-directing the cabaret Asian Kiwiana.

We are excited to announce Te Whare Tapere Live: 21-25 May.

Te Whare Tapere is a house of indigenous storytelling. We are so excited to have our people sharing their stories in this multidisciplinary performance week.

Watch this space for more information about the events and rikatoi involved.

Te Whare Tapere Live: 21-25 May

🎙🗒✏️

Te Whare Tapere are pleased to be hosting; Toitū te Tiriti. Toitū te Kupu.
An exhibition of creative writing and works by kaimahi wāhine Māori from the University of Canterbury, inspired through wānanga with their pou tautoko.

Nau mai tauti mai rā.

15 April- 28 April
Te Whare Tapere

Te Whare Tapere is closed this Friday and Sunday.

We will be open on Saturday 11-3pm with one of our amazing volunteers in the space.

NŌ HEA TŌKU REO?/ To whom does this language belong?

12 March- 7 April

"Kōmāmā i te hinapōuri" by Alix Ashworth is the piece in the centre of the Te Whare Tapere at the moment for NŌ HEA TŌKU REO?/ To whom does this language belong?

The piece made, from linen remnant fiber, brushed cotton, wool and textile ink is all about the love language of touch. Whilst in the space you are invited to touch and interact with the piece.

NŌ HEA TŌKU REO?/ To whom does this language belong?
12 March- 7 April
Te Whare Tapere

Last week we opened NŌ HEA TŌKU REO? | To whom does this language belong?

This show was curated by guest curator Honey Brown, and is aligned with Pride here in Ōtautahi. The show is about love languages with poetry, taonga puoro and a woven piece all sharing the artists whakaaro on this.

Kā mihi nui to all of those who made it to the opening or in to visit so far.

NŌ HEA TŌKU REO? | To whom does this language belong?

12 March- 7 April

Te Whare Tapere

Te Whare Tapere opened its doors Matariki 2023. Since then we have had over 100 Māori artists work with our space, sharing their stories, mahi toi, tūmanako and mātauraka.

You may have seen, Christchurch City Council is proposing not to fund te Matatiki Toi Ora the Arts Centre in its draft Long-Term Plan 2024-2034.

E te whānau, to help us continue doing this mahi without interruption, please take a moment to fill out a submission about the Council’s draft Long-Term Plan.

Find the link here; https://www.artscentre.org.nz/support/save-the-arts-centre/

Kā mihi nui me aroha nui,

Nā Juanita & Ngaio

🌟 Calling all toi Māori enthusiasts! 🌟

Do you have a passion for preserving and celebrating indigenous storytelling and want to support a kaupapa Māori space! Te Whare Tapere so is looking for dedicated volunteers to join our team and help us showcase the rich culture and traditions of the Māori people.

As a volunteer, you'll have the opportunity to engage with beautiful mahi toi, share knowledge with visitors, and contribute to the vibrant tapestry of our community. Whether you're a seasoned expert or just beginning your journey, we welcome individuals of all backgrounds and experiences.

Join us in our mission to honor and uplift our culture. Together, let's create meaningful connections and continue with the amazing mahi we are getting done!

Interested in lending a hand? Drop us a message or visit our website for more information on how you can get involved. 🌺✨

Kā mihi for all of those of you who came to the opening of "Nō hea tōku reo? / To whom does this language belong?

We wanted to do a little post to share some images from our last exhibition Hūtia ka Kara.

Kā mihi nui to all those involved!

GUEST CURATOR INTRO ❤️🩷🧡💛💚💙🩵💜

Honey Brown 🍯 (they/them), nō Ngāpuhi, Tūwharetoa, Taranaki,

Honey grew up in the city of Pōneke, but has called Ōtautahi home since 2018. Honey is a creative, an activist and a haututū, with a strong passion for manaakitanga and community. They’re an Arts Center local, working at The Physics Room Gallery as Access Coordinator. Within this role, and through other side quests, Honey has found their creative voice in community engagement, often through collaboratively organising events, such as the Q***r Horizons club nights. They’re interested in building restorative spaces which enables collective growth.

NŌ HEA TŌKU REO? | To whom does this language belong? 🌸
12 March- 7 April
Te Whare Tapere

This exhibition is in alignment with pride month. All of the other artists are Takatāpui (an umbrella term for rainbow identities, used by Māori people to incorporate their cultural identity into their sexualities' and/or gender identity). For the LGBTQIA+ community love is not an emotion solely felt in a singular form, but communally. So this exhibition will also be a conversation about community and the love felt within these groups.

NŌ HEA TŌKU REO? / To whom does this language belong?

Opening Tuesday 12 March 5:30pm
Te Whare Tapere

NŌ HEA TŌKU REO? / To whom does this language belong?

This exhibition takes the form of a conversation: love is the language being used to communicate. The title is a pātai- Nō hea tōku reo? / To whom does this language belong? and it opens up further questions - if love is a language, how is it communicated? Who do we share this language with? And how far does our voice travel?

Alix Ashworth, Arwen Sommer, Iranti Verrian, Kahu Tumai, Kommi Tamati-Ellife, Mahina-Ina Kingi-Kaui, Melissa Wong.

This exhibition is an awhi to the takataapui community by guest curator Honey Brown.

NŌ HEA TŌKU REO? / To whom does this language belong? 🌸
12 March- 7 April
Te Whare Tapere