Witipū

Witipū invites us to reconsider a term that has long been used to describe wāhine Māori who are unwavering, formidable, and unapologetically present. Rather than accepting inherited assumptions, this exhibition reclaims Witipū as an affirmation of mana, resilience, wisdom, and the many ways strength is embodied.

Across painting, sculpture, and mixed media, the artists reveal the breadth and complexity of wāhine Māori experience. Here, wāhine emerge as phases of the moon, as kaitiaki grounded in their tūrangawaewae, as holders of whakapapa and mātauranga, as leaders navigating multiple worlds, and as storytellers who reinterpret Māori narratives through the enduring lens of mana wāhine.

Complementing the visual works is an original creative writing contribution by Terri Te Tau ‘Pareaku’s Paddock’. Her text draws together the themes carried within each artwork, creating a narrative that connects the exhibition as a whole and offers another way of understanding the many meanings of Witipū.

About the artists 

The artists featured in this exhibition are all graduates of Toioho ki Āpiti, which this year celebrates 30 years of Māori visual arts education at Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa, Massey University. While each artist has developed a distinct creative practice, all have been shaped by the kaupapa of Toioho ki Āpiti and continue to carry its commitment to whakapapa, mātauranga Māori, and cultural expression through their work. Together, they reflect the programme’s enduring legacy and its continuing influence on contemporary Māori art.

Image: Te Rere a Mate (2026) Karangawai Marsh