Author(s): Bronwyn Waipuka-Callander

NZ Art and Artists | Feminism

E koekoe te tui, e ketekete te kaka, e kuku te kereru… ** Stories of all forms come from different times, places and emotional spaces. They shape our lives because they are born from our experiences and our understanding of the world around us. They can speak of our triumphs and our failings, our completeness and our rigid edges. They can journey into the depths of our darkness only to surface once again to bring us back into the light (tenei te po, nau mai te ao). Each korero has its own authentic spin on our lives unfolding, each one a unique voice like no other. ** A year ago the call went out for this kaupapa and wahine responded. Much gratitude and aroha goes out to them ... for seeing my vision and for saying yes :) Thank you for being part of this work of art - Nga mihi nui .... Robyn Kahukiwa, Dayle Takitimu, Janette Hoppe, Sharn Maree, Trinity Thompson-Browne, Anna Reeves, Collette Hutchby, Davi Henare-Kuru, Sharon Hughes, Edith Rolls, Leah Waipuka-Bain, Jessica Gerbic, Wikitoria Kauti-King, and Jasmine Brown. Celebrating Mana Wahine, International Women's Day (IWS),on the 8th March 2023. Buy SRW *** NGA WAHINE *** Robyn Kahukiwa - is an Australian-born New Zealand artist, award-winning children's book author, and illustrator. Robyn's work raises awareness of contemporary Maori art. With much of her mahi strongly interwoven with politics, she is an advocate for Maori rights, steadily supporting and lifting the mana of Maori women and children. Dayle Takitimu - is a Maori sovereign rights and environmental lawyer, a mama, an educator, an outspoken political commentator, poet, art activist, visionary, strategist, earth mother advocate, and a warrior in terms of mana Maori and preserving our narratives. Janette Hoppe - is a spoken word artist currently living in Newcastle, Australia. Janette’s poetry reflects her Maori and Australian heritage, with her Ngapuhi and Te Rarawa roots clearly interwoven into her spoken word pieces. Domestic violence, sexual violence and feminist narratives feature strongly in her story telling. Sharn Maree - is a spoken word performer, narrator and facilitator. A weaver of words who writes and speaks to raise awareness on mental health, political issues and Indigenous rights. Trinity Thomson-Browne - Trinity Thompson-Browne (they/them) is a poet, writer and photographer from Ngati Kahungunu, who uses intergenerationality in their creative expression as a framework for relating to the world around them. They write to make sense of the world and to help Maori, takatapui and neurodivergent people see themselves (The Spinoff) Anna Reeves - is a mum, a creative, and a professional counsellor who works within the spaces of mental health, with experience and a career spanning over 12 years. Collette Hutchby - is a Wairarapa based Early Childhood Educator. Collette has a long history in caring for others. Davi Henare-Kuru - Davi is a Kaitautoko to kaumatua, which involves working within Whaiora’s Whare Ora program - ‘living in warm safe homes’. This program offers assistance to kaumatua, helping them to navigate the health system and overcome barriers so they can become more self-managing. Sharon Hughes - is a recent graduate of Te Tohu te Matauranga Wairua. Sharon is a Spiritual Healer. She also facilitates a wananga called Ki roto i te Marama, which offers a safe environment for parents and siblings who are moving through the grieving process of whakamomori (suicide). Edith Rolls - facilitates and co-ordinates information workshops at Ahuru Mowai Wananga, which is a free kaupapa Maori pregnancy and parenting program based in Whakaoriori (Masterton). Its focus is to incorporate practical concepts and knowledge in terms of birthing and haputanga for hapu mama and their whanau - learning through matauranga Maori and purakau in relation to traditional birthing methods. Leah Waipuka-Bain - is an education specialist who teaches across the Wairarapa and Wellington areas primarily within schools with high populations of Maori. Leah specialises in Health, Physical Education, and Te Reo me Matauranga Maori. She is an advocate for Public Health which she has held senior management roles. Leah has also been involved in the Mana Wahine Claims and in Treaty settlements with Iwi. Jessica Gerbic - is a Clinical Psychologist for Tu Maia (Regional Youth Forensics) and Manawanui (Adult Maori Mental Health), ADHB based in Auckland. Wikitoria Kautai-King & Jasmine Brown - are the creators of Ukaipo Native Apothecaries, who work in the spaces of rongoa, ritual, taonga, and kete aroha.