Ringa Toi Student Exhibition celebrates Māori art

28 September 2022

The national secondary schools’ 2022 Ringa Toi Student Exhibition has opened at Te Papa Tongarewa in Wellington, showcasing the artwork of ākonga with a focus on Toi Māori.

“The New Zealand Qualifications Authority is delighted to coordinate Ringa Toi, which celebrates talented young artists working in Toi Māori,” says Andrea Gray, NZQA Deputy Chief Executive Assessment.

The exhibition contains artwork from secondary school ākonga around New Zealand, who are working towards achieving NCEA levels 1 – 3. Artworks exhibited include raranga, kākahu (wearable art), tukutuku, tāniko, whakairo, kōwhaiwhai, mahi-tā (paint, print, spray), uku, whakapakoko (sculpture) and mahi-matihiko (digital).

The Ringa Toi Student Exhibition is open to the public from 10am to 6pm every day until 9 October, at Te Papa Tongarewa, 55 Cable Street, Wellington. There is no charge for entry.

“Toi Māori provides an important outlet to express what it means to live in te ao Māori,” Andrea Gray says.

“We are especially pleased that this year’s exhibition is hosted by Te Papa - an iconic national venue - demonstrating that there are real opportunities to be recognised and celebrated as Toi Māori artists,” Andrea Gray says.

“Being exhibited at Te Papa’s Rongomaraeroa Marae is of great significance for ākonga and their kura.”

“Showcasing young artists encourages creative expression, while celebrating the survival of traditional art forms and innovation in new ones,” Andrea Gray says.