Te Puna Waiora, The Distinguished Weavers

Celebrating the great mana of the senior Māori weavers of Aotearoa New Zealand, and the complexity and beauty of their work.

The story of Māori weaving is one of great skill, determination and survival. When colonisation threatened Māori culture and society, the women continued to weave. Against overwhelming odds, Māori upheld the mana and traditions of raranga, passing down their skills and knowledge—the eternal thread—ensuring that this vital practice thrives in our contemporary world. 

A partnership project between Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū and Te Roopu Raranga Whatu o Aotearoa, with support from Toi Māori.