At Te Wānanga o Aotearoa we’re lucky to have a talented bunch of kaimahi who dedicate themselves to their mahi, each and every day. United by our mission tauira success, we love hearing of the endeavours of our tauira, who after graduating, go on to achieve greatness.

We are extremely proud to announce that several of our tauira and kaimahi were finalists in this year’s prestigious Kiingi Tuheitia Portraiture Awards.

The Kiingi Tuheitia Portraiture Award encourages emerging Māori artists to create portraits of their tūpuna (ancestors) in any medium. Launched in 2020 and held every two years, it is hosted and administered by the New Zealand Portrait Gallery Te Pūkenga Whakaata in honour of Kiingi Tuheitia.

From a pool of 128 entries, 50 finalists were selected and narrowed to winner, Stevei Houkāmau for her piece, Kia Whakatōmuri te haere whakamua.

Tia Barrett (middle) with NZPG director Jaenine Parkinson and judge Lisa Reihana.

The judging panel was made up of Steve Gibbs, Lisa Reihana, and Graham Hoete (Mr G), who is a recent graduate of Te Aupikitanga ki te Reo Kairanga.

Three tauira of our Te Wānanga o Aotearoa toi programmes were finalists.

Rangimoana Morgan, graduate of our Maunga Kura Toi (Bachelor of Māori Art) in Huntly, entered her oils piece, Rangi.

Jody Tupara, Toi Paematua (Diploma in Māori & Indigenous Art) graduate in Gisborne, entered her oil on canvas piece, Ngā haututu o te kāuta.

Michelle Estall, currently enrolled in Kāwai Raupapa (Certificate in Māori & Indigenous Art) in Tauranga, was Highly Commended for her acrylic on stretched canvas, When it’s time to come home...

Two of our kaimahi were also finalists, and both Highly Commended for their pieces.

Heramaahina Eketone is a toi kaiako in Dunedin. Her acrylic on MDF, Ngaa Houhanga Rongo, tells stories of forgiveness and making peace throughout five generations, based on her grandfather's tūpuna.

Tia Barrett, Programme Advisor based in Hamilton entered a piece named A Time Capsule of Aroha.

The photograph is of her nan, Ruby, at her home where the walls are covered with memories including photos of new mokopuna or interesting newspaper clippings.

All 50 finalist pieces are on exhibit until 20 August at New Zealand Portrait Gallery Te Pūkenga Whakaata in Wellington or online.

Jody Tupara	Tia Barrett	Michelle Estall
Heramaahina Eketone	Rangimoana Morgan