Hikurangi Edwards

Hikurangi Edwards (Of Ngāruahine, Ngāti Porou, Te Whānau-ā-Apanui and Ngāpuhi descent) meticulously hand-carves into layers upon layers of paint from her Wellington studio, a technique she calls mahi whakairo peita. Often guided by her tīpuna, she uses contrasting colours to acknowledge contemporary lifestyles, whilst telling stories of the past, present, & future. The soft, yet confident curves of the koru give depth & texture, drawing you in to an art that must be touched. All of which speaks to the dichotomy of the two worlds she navigates. 

Te Heke - tells stories of our people migrating from their homelands to find a new home as a result of inter-tribal war. In particular Te Rauparaha who chose to bring his people south from Kawhia to Kapiti and beyond. They traversed through Taranaki and faced many adversities on their way in the hope of finding a new safe home for his Ngāti Toa Rangatira and Raukawa people. 

The koru facing up and down and crossing over depict their crossing the land. Sometimes parties went ahead, or some followed after. Families were lost. Times were tough but the aim is to never forget. 

Raukura - albatross feather/s. Used by prophets Te Whiti o Rongomai and Tohu Kakahi as a symbol of peace on Earth and goodwill to all. 

Koropupū - simply meaning “to bubble up” or “boil” reminds me of the geysers all across Aotearoa and how giving and fragile life can be. 

Ruapūtahunga - from South Taranaki and lived in around 1590. She captivated many with her beauty and is said to have married a number of men including the might Whatihua (a Waikato chief) to whom she had two sons.