My mahi is deeply rooted in my Maori cultural heritage. Through whakapapa — the interwoven threads of ancestry and story — I find the wellspring of my creative inspiration, a source of spiritual connection and purpose. These ancestral pathways guide me, grounding my practice in both the seen and unseen dimensions of being.

At the heart of my work lies a commitment to exploring feminine narratives — stories of wahine as nurturers, knowledge holders, and guardians of continuity. Many of these stories exist in tension with colonial histories that have disrupted, silenced, or distorted indigenous voices. As such, my work often engages with the ongoing impacts of colonisation — reclaiming space, reasserting identity, and restoring mana to narratives long overlooked or misrepresented.

Alongside this, I am drawn to themes of inner transformation and personal evolution — concepts that speak to healing, self-awareness, and expanded states of consciousness. These are pathways not only for the individual, but for the collective — processes of remembering, resisting, and reimagining.

Over the years, my creative journey has unfolded into a distinctive visual language — one that translates experience, symbolism, and matauranga (knowledge) through a contemporary and often minimal design aesthetic. Whether working with paint, paper, glass, or object, my practice becomes a living reflection unfolding — a visual weaving of my inner and outer worlds, constantly evolving, constantly learning.

It is through this ongoing process that I find meaning — a place where cultural memory, personal experience, and spiritual inquiry converge. Kia ora.

Experience:
2023, Nga Wai Whaka-ata - Reflecting Waters (solo exhibition), Ponsonby Central, Auckland, NZ
2022, Nga Hine Tokowhitu o Matariki (solo exhibition), Vinegar Lane Studio, Auckland, NZ
2020, Group Show, Red Door Gallery, Waipu, NZ
2018, Voices of my Tupuna (solo exhibition), Ponsonby Central , Auckland, NZ
2016, Selected Works (featured artist), Kura Gallery, Auckland, NZ
2016, Presentation of Collection, Imago Mundi - Fondazione Benetton Sudi Ricerche, Treviso, Italy
2015, Open Studio, (solo exhibition), Williamson Ave Studio, Auckland, NZ
2015, Group Show, Ora Gallery, New York, USA
2014, Mana Whenua Taku Kai, Taku Oranga (solo exhibition), Aratoi, Masterton, NZ
2013, Mana Wahine (solo exhibition), Mt Eden, The Digital Dark Room, Auckland, NZ
2012, Selected Works, Skycity Grand Hotel, Auckland, NZ
2012, Group Show, Kura Gallery, Auckland, NZ
2005, Selected Works (solo exhibition), GreenHill Gallerys, Adelaide, South Australia
2004, Selected Works (solo exhibtion), SkyCity Adelaide (The Grill Restaurant), South Australia
2004, Exotica/Erotica (group exhibition), GreenHill Gallerys, Adelaide, South Australia
2003, Selected Works (featured artist), SkyCity Adelaide, South Australia
2003, Selected Works (featured artist), SkyCity Auckland, NZ
2003, Selected Works (group exhibition), Mana Gallery, Parnell, Auckland, NZ
2003, Group Show, Glenelg Fine Art Gallery, Adelaide, South Australia
2003, Group Show, Tomlinson Fine Art Gallery, Adelaide, South Australia
2002, Group Show, Royal S.A. Society of Arts Inc, Adelaide, South Australia
2002, Group Show, Artists on Broadway, Glenelg, South Australia

Collections:
2019, Mt Albert Grammar School (Te Puna o Wairaka), Auckland, NZ
2018, Newton Primary School, Auckland, NZ
2004, SkyCity Adelaide, Australia
2003, SkyCity Auckland, NZ
**Also includes various other national and international private collections.

Creative Collaborations:
2022, "Nga Hine Tokowhitu" with Claire Nicholls
2021, "Who am i to wear Moko Kauae" with Putaanga Waitoa
2015, "Hine Pukenga" with Robyn Kahukiwa

Grants/Awards/Residencies:
2015, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa
2014, Creative New Zealand

Self Publications:
“Strong Resilient Wahine”, Auckland: 2023
“NIU, He Tangata Matauhi; Voices of our Ancestors”, Auckland: digital 2019/paperback 2022
“Poutama Atuatanga - The Nurturing Pathway”, Auckland: 2019
“Ranga Wairua”, Auckland, 2016
“Mana Whenua Taku Kai, Taku Oranga”, Auckland: 2014

Press/Publications:
** “UNDRIP Implementation Comparative Approaches, Indigenous Voices from CANZUS” for the Centre for International Governance Innovation, Special Report: Canada, 2020
** “Brave NIU World” for an interview by Kuini Qontrol: Auckland, 2020
** “Heke Tuna, Heke Rangatira! Inviting Wairarapatanga consciousness to discourse regarding excellence and innovation in the pursuit of knowledge” for Te Wananga o Aotearoa Toroa Te Nukuroa Volume IIII Journal: Masterton, 2016
** “Geometry” for Issue One, Auckland 2017
** “Te Matauranga o Ngati Kahungunu ki Wairarapa” for Iwi publication, Masterton, 2016
** “New Zealand: Kiwi Consciousness” (cover) in the Imago Mundi Luciano Benetton Collection book and online catalogue: 2015
** “The Late Pre-term Baby” for publication by Leigh McCarthy: Auckland, 2015
** “Spotlight on Artist” for Wairarapa Times Age: Masterton, 2014

Creative Commons/Charitable Donations/Koha:
- Kaitiakitanga Charitable Trust, 2023
- Ahuru Mowai Wānanga, Wairarapa Maternity, 2023
- The University of Auckland (Ka Hao Te Rangatahi), 2021
- Ihi - Benita Tahuri, 2021
- Auckland City Mission (Te Whare Hinatore), 2020
- Te Pati Maori, 2020
- Waiwhero Wānanga, Te Ira Wahine, He Ira Whenua (Ngahuia Murphy), 2020
- Urukehu Wairua Creations, 2019
- Whenua Vibrations, 2019
- Waipu Branch of Whangarei RSA, 2019
- Kopu Consulting Ltd, 2018
- Takahiwai Marae - Patuharakeke, 2017
- Waru (Feature Film by Kerry Warkia & Kiel McNaughton), 2017
- Kemetic Yoga, 2016
- Te Ara (The Encyclopedia of NZ), 2015
- Rangitane o Wairarapa Education, 2015
- Kai4Kids Charity, Robyn Kahukiwa, 2015
- Parliamentary Office of MP, Marama Fox, 2015
- Te Pou Theatre, 2015
- The Going West Festival, 2015
- Orakei Marae (Nga Mahi Toi), 2014
- Te Kohanga Reo o Wahi Reka, 2014
- Auckland Woman’s Refuge, 2013
- Hamilton Abuse Intervention Project, 2013
- Crown Perth (Executive Suites), 2009
- Ngai Tumapuhia a Rangi Hapu, 2007
**Also includes various other related koha or donations that are not listed above.