Nau mai haere mai. Join us Under the Dome for a powerful mokopapa event—a unique wānanga where moko kauae or mataora will be gifted to those ready to receive their taonga tuku iho.
SUN 23 MAR, BEGINS 10AM
UNDER THE DOME, LEVEL 3
FREE WITH MUSEUM ENTRY
We invite whānau, hapū, Iwi, and members of the public to come together and experience Mokopapa. Visitors are welcomed to bear witness to skilled tā moko artists Katz Maihi and Jacob Wiremu Tautari, as they bestow their sacred craft in an intimate public setting, with the richness of karakia, waiata, and kōrero.
Experience moko in a setting that not only celebrates whakapapa but acknowledges our unique cultural identity in Aotearoa. Don’t miss this chance to witness a moment of connecting our present to our past cultural histories.
Meet the Kaitā (artists)
Ko Maungakiekie te Maunga
Ko Waitematā e rere mai na taku moana
Ko Takaparawhau te whenua
Ko Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei te hapū te iwi
Ko Arekātera Maihi tōku Ingoa
Arekatera, or Katz, as he is mainly known as has been a carver for the past 25 years and started doing tā moko 20 years ago. Raised in the village at Ōrākei surrounded by his whānau and hapū he saw a lot of the Ngāti Whātua Visual Language on and around his marae. Katz has taken his career in carving and tā moko from the marae to wider and public arenas of Tāmaki Makaurau.
He enjoys sharing his culture with his whānau hapū and iwi as well as other people from all walks of life and various communities that he has interacted with here in Aotearoa and also around the globe.
He formed his Māori art company Toitū Design ltd. in 2007 with his wife Leonie Simpson. They continue to deliver a high quality products and Katz continues to serve his people as a ringatoi for the hapū.
Ngāti Hine, Kāti Mamoe, Ngāti Manaiapoto, Ngāi Te Rangi
Jacob Tautari is a highly skilled artist based in Rotorua, New Zealand, specializing in the ancient art forms of tā moko and whakairo. With nearly two decades of experience in tā moko and formal training in whakairo at the prestigious school of New Zealand Māori Arts and Craft Institute, his work is a testament to the rich cultural heritage and craftsmanship of his tipuna. Through his practice, he strives to honour the traditional techniques of tā moko and whakairo while also incorporating contemporary elements. Each piece he creates is imbued with deep cultural significance and serves as a visual representation of the enduring spirit and history of his people.