Celebrating 100 Years of Service Through the Mana of Ngā Toi
The Tūwharetoa Māori Trust Board was honoured to attend the karakia whakatuwhera for Maiea /// To Surface, a powerful Matariki exhibition led by Toi Tūwharetoa that celebrates the enduring relationship between Ngāti Tūwharetoa, our waters, and our people.
Now open at the Taupō Museum Gallery until 3 August, the exhibition brings together an inspiring collective of Tūwharetoa ringatoi, curators, and cultural practitioners whose works explore wai, moana, mauri, and whakapapa through visual art, sound, storytelling, and wānanga.
Supported as part of the Trust Board’s 100 Years commemorations, Maiea /// To Surface reflects on the past while looking towards the future, honouring the generations who have upheld the mana of Ngāti Tūwharetoa and the responsibilities we continue to carry as kaitiaki of our taiao.
The exhibition’s kaupapa, Maiea—to surface—invites visitors to bring forward what lies beneath: the stories, mātauranga, memories, and connections held within our waters. It reminds us that our moana is not simply a place, but a living source of identity, wellbeing, and belonging for Ngāti Tūwharetoa.
As the Trust Board marks a century of service to the iwi, supporting kaupapa such as Maiea /// To Surface reflects an ongoing commitment to uplifting Tūwharetoatanga and investing in the people who carry our stories forward.
Our ringatoi play a vital role in preserving and expressing our culture. Through the mana of ngā toi, they strengthen our identity, share our histories, and inspire future generations to remain connected to their whakapapa, their whenua, and one another.
Chairman, John Bishara said the exhibition is a fitting expression of the Trust Board’s centenary milestone.
“For generations, our moana has reflected the identity, strength, and spirit of Ngāti Tūwharetoa. Through Maiea /// To Surface, our artists give voice to those enduring connections, drawing forward the stories, mātauranga, and memories that continue to shape us as a people.
As we commemorate 100 years of the Tūwharetoa Māori Trust Board, we reflect on a century of service to our people and the enduring responsibilities entrusted to us by those who came before. This exhibition is a celebration of Tūwharetoatanga, of the mana of ngā toi, and of the living relationship between our people and the moana that has sustained, inspired, and connected us across generations.”
The Tūwharetoa Māori Trust Board extends its sincere congratulations to Toi Tūwharetoa, the curators, artists, kaumātua, and everyone involved in bringing this exceptional exhibition to life. Their collective vision has created a space that not only celebrates artistic excellence but also deepens our understanding of who we are as Tūwharetoa.
We encourage all uri, whānau, and members of the wider community to experience Maiea /// To Surface and immerse themselves in this celebration of Tūwharetoatanga, creativity, and our enduring relationship with wai and moana.
