Whakawhetū re-imagines atua Matariki using Toi Māori elements from a fresh and fun perspective.

Follow artist Maia Keane on her discovery into the connections between Te iwa o Matariki and our natural environment. The paintings displayed in this exhibition are documents of learning, combining traditional Māori patterns and vibrant colour combinations to express what each star in the Matariki cluster represents.

Maia is a painter, graphic designer, curator whose work embraces and reacts to her endless journey into her māoritanga. She was born and raised in West Auckland and has iwi affiliations to Ngai Tāmanuhiri and Rongowhakaata.

Drawing inspiration from kōwhaiwhai experts such as John Hovell and Ngataiharuru Taepa, Maia has developed her design style of bold figurative work for over the past 3 years. This show marks the first solo exhibition in her career.

We encourage you to use this exhibition as an opportunity to venture into your own discovery of the traditional use of Matariki, but also, the ways that you choose to embrace and celebrate it today.