Ōtautahi Weavers

The long list of contributors to this beautiful tukutuku panel reinforces the collective knowledge, relationships and labour that goes towards making an artwork. This work also expresses the role that weaving plays as an archival form. Tukutuku panels vary from iwi to iwi, featuring particular patterns and techniques that tell stories in a language shared by weavers, yet sometimes specific to a region. Customarily tukutuku are made to adorn the inside walls of wharenui, storing and sharing key narratives. This panel was produced for the exhibition Te Puna Waiora: The Distinguished Weavers of Te Kāhui Whiritoi, to celebrate the mana and traditions of raranga, and the passing down of skills and knowledge – the eternal thread.

(Living Archives, 25 October 2025 – 8 March 2026)

Designed by Paula Rigby (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Te Wairoa, Ngāti Ruapani, Ngāi Tūhoe) Paula Rigby, Rhonda Hira (Ngāti Tīpā, Ngāti Korokī, Te Pūaha o Waikato), Di Robinson (Ngāti Porou, Te Whānau-a-Apanui), Fayne Robinson (Ngāti Apa ki te Rā To, Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Māmoe), Te Inupo Farrah (Pare Waikato, Pare Hauraki), Kay Stephens (Pākehā), Tania Nutira (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Toarangatira), Kim Rigby (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Te Wairoa, Ngāti Ruapani, Ngāi Tūhoe), Helena Rollo (Ngāti Whātua, Ngāpuhi), Kapuakore Ngarimu (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Mutunga, Te Whakatōhea), Tracy Te Hemi (Pākehā), Gina Coatsworth (Pākehā), Lisa Harding (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Hako, Ngāpuhi), Rahera Cowie (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāpuhi), Ana Skudder (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Porou), Melody Haira (Ngāti Kahungunu, Rangitane ki Wairarapa, Ngāi Tahu), Ranui Ngarimu (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Mutunga), Tracey-Ann Cook (Pākehā), Camille Taituha (Ngāti Maniapoto, Rereahu), Catherine Harrison (Pākehā), Aroha Jones (Ngāti Ruanui), Ereni Pūtere (Kāi Tahu, Kāti Māmoe, Waitaha, Te Atiawa) and Patty-Anne Oberst (Ngāi Tahu, Kāti Māmoe, Waitaha)