Praneeta Mahajan
Hamilton, April 21, 2023
Maya Angelou said One may not control all the events that happen to them, but one can always decide not to be reduced by them. A unique concept that highlights this fact is now coming to Rotorua while traveling across the North Island.
Wāhine, the much loved touring multimedia exhibition that amplifies Māori women’s voices around Aotearoa is coming to Whakarewarewa, The Living Māori Village from Saturday 6 May till Thursday 1 June 2023. The exhibition offers our communities the opportunity to be enriched by their life stories while fostering mutual understanding and has been much loved by other regions that hosted the exhibition with some heart-warming stories, that share the life journeys of some strong spirited women.
Here in Rotorua, Ngamoni Huata (Tūhourangi-Ngāti Wāhiao, Tūhoe, Ngāti Rangiwewehi, Ngāti Whare) joins the kaupapa and the exhibition’s journey around the North Island.
The experience is made even more special and valuable with the exhibition is held at The Whakarewarewa – The Living Māori Village, as it is here in the village where Ngamoni grew up.
Talking about the special event, Ngamoni Huata said, “I think it is the love of people, appreciating different cultures. So even though I am proud of mine because this is who I am, this is what I am. But I am also open to other people and their stories. They all have their own journey. And it is not about right or wrong, this is just the way they do things, and this is the way we do things.”
About the Exhibition
Through personalised sound stories and portrait photography, Wāhine is an immersive exhibition inviting communities to come together, be inspired, and learn from the raw, honest, and vulnerable stories of Māori women.
The stories touch on their joys and inspirations, their troubles and tribulations, and the resilience that has moulded them into the women they are. The powerful words of each interview are woven together with real-life recordings captured by the women themselves and exhibited alongside a photography portrait of each Wāhine.
Wāhine Creative Director Loren Pasquier said, “My hope in creating this work is that Wāhine will not only inspire empathy for the stories we hear but reflect that same empathy onto ourselves. Because I do believe it is through empathy and respect that we can start to acknowledge each other.”
While it travels around New Zealand, Wāhine expands each time it changes locations by inviting a wāhine from a local iwi to join the kaupapa and hold space for the other women. Rotorua is the fifth and final centre in the North Island for the exhibition. Ms Ngamoni’s story will join 12 other wāhine who shared their stories and toured the South and North Islands.
By holding a sacred space for women to share their experiences, the team hopes to inspire compassion in us all and ignite a wider sense of belonging, community, and togetherness.
Details for the Exhibition
Wāhine, will exhibit at Whakarewarewa – The Living Māori Village, 17 Tryon Street, Whakarewarewa, Rotorua where it will open to the public from Saturday 6 May from 11.30 am and run till Thursday 1 June 2023 during open hours 9am-4pm daily.
Entry is for the event is free and audio guides with headphones are provided to experience the incredible stories. Visitors can also bring their own headphones and smartphone to access the audio-stories via a QR code.
A free to attend public workshop, ‘Wāhine – Our Stories’ is also being held on Sat 6 May, 2 to 4pm for all visitors who are 16 and over at Ngā Mareikura,Whakarewarewa – The Living Māori Village.
With a unique concept, the team has presented some unique stories, and sharing them would not only create a sacred platform for women, but also propel conversations around choices, preseverence and ethos that drive a person in life.
Praneeta Mahajan is an Indian Newslink reporter based in Hamilton.
