Ngāti Raukawa, Ngā Tukorehe

 

“My inspiration to create is drawn from respect and admiration for the weavers of old who left us a legacy to follow with the hope that one day I may in some small way contribute to the survival of this taonga”. 

 

As a child Hinepuororangi Tahupārae was required to work as a kaitiaki. These tasks included the care of korowai left by her grandfather to her father and required regular airing in the sun.

 

It is no coincidence then, that Hinepuororangi has a passion for working the luminous strands of muka in her creation of kākahu.

 

Hinepuororangi describes her own work as an expression of appreciation for taonga tuku iho and it is her absolute privilege to have learned to protect this taonga over many years.

 

In recent years Hinepuororangi has been exploring practical forms such as kete tātai and kete kumara woven from fresh undressed harakeke. This knowledge has become the basis for both sculptural experiments and everyday storage vessels suitable for gathering pipi, toheroa and pātiki at the beach.

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Bio courtesy of Toi Māori Aotearoa, coinciding with Whiriwhiria exhibition March - June 2022