Kuteretere – Celestial Waters by Ngatai Taepa
The 2026 programme is wrapped in the artwork Kuteretere by Ngatai Taepa, featured on the cover of our printed brochure, a tribute to the waterways that connect this place. Like the powerful call for kōtahitanga exemplified by Te Arikinui Kuini Nga Wai Hono i te Pō, we look to the power of unity to connect us all.
In the words of Ngatai Taepa:
This work draws inspiration from conversations I have had with Kura Moeahu (Ngā Ruahine, Te Āti Awa, Taranaki Tuturu, Ngāti Mutunga, Ngāti Tama, Ngāti Toa) and Che Wilson (Ngāti Rangi-Whanganui, Tūwharetoa, Mōkai Pātea, Ngāti Apa, Ngā Rauru). It speaks of the celestial waters from which all life originates according to our Tai Uru Kōrero. This work celebrates the connection and creative flow of all people and all things and acknowledges the life and energy that the Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts brings to our city.
I ahu mai tēnei mahi i ā mātou kōrero, ko Kura Moeahu (nō Ngā Ruahine, Te Āti Awa, Taranaki Tuturu, Ngāti Mutunga, Ngāti Tama, me Ngāti Toa), ko Che Wilson (nō Ngāti Rangi-Whanganui, Tūwharetoa, Mōkai Pātea, Ngāti Apa, me Ngā Rauru). E kōrero ana tēnei mahi mō ngā wai arorangi, arā, mō te puna o ngā mea ora katoa, e ai ki ngā Tai Uru Kōrero. I tēnei Taiopenga, e whakanui ana tēnei mahi i te hononga me te wairua auaha o ngā tāngata me ngā mea katoa, ā, e whakamānawatia ana te mauri ora o te Taiopenga Toi o Aotearoa e rangona ana i tō tātou tāone.
Kuteretere – Celestial Waters by Ngatai Taepa.
Ngatai Taepa. Image by Richie Mills.