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Lecture Series: Māori Art Through the Lens of Te Ao Māori
Wed
5 Aug
-
Wed
26 Aug
2026
We are excited to announce Julie Paama-Pengell's four-part lecture series, Māori Art Through the Lens of Te Ao Māori, on Wednesdays, 5–26 Aug 2026, 5.30–7pm, at Toi Tauranga Art Gallery.
This series explores the vitality of Ngā Toi Māori, using Julie Paama-Pengelly’s book Māori Art and Design (2010) as the foundation for examining the essential legacies of Māori creative practice. Māori art is framed as a dynamic, unbroken – though often shaken – lineage of values that persists through a changing, frequently challenging environment.
In these lectures, we will explore how the artist’s hand ensures that customary practices evolve to embrace new possibilities while remaining a living embodiment of cultural authority – an uncompromising assertion of a core identity that empowers Māori to represent themselves as they see themselves, as Māori.
What to expect:
- Mā te kete, ka puāwai te iwi - Through the weaving, the people flourish
- He moko tangata, he moko nō te whenua - The markings of the people are those of the land
- He toi whakairo, he mana tangata - Where there is artistic excellence, there is human dignity
- He kura kāinga e hokia - A treasured home to return to
Julie Paama-Pengelly – Biography
Julie Paama-Pengelly is a respected Māori artist, writer, educator, tā moko practitioner, and arts leader of Ngāi Te Rangi descent. Over four decades in the visual arts, she has helped shape how Māori art is understood, practised, and taught in Aotearoa.
Location
Toi Tauranga Art Gallery
Event Dates
August 5, 2026
at
5:30 pm
August 12, 2026
at
5:30 pm
August 19, 2026
at
5:30 pm
August 26, 2026
at
5:30 pm
Expo
HobbyCon comes to Tauranga! HobbyCon brings collectors, players, vendors, and hobby enthusiasts together for a huge day of buying, selling, trading, and connecting with the community. Explore a packed show floor featuring trading cards, sports cards, collectibles, and plenty of hidden finds.
28 Aug
Activity
BreastFriend, the Tauranga-founded brand behind The Breasties wearable breast pump, has partnered with The Lab — NZ's flagship hybrid training facility — to gift local new mums a free MUM CLUB session. The initiative is founder-led: BreastFriend's Marie-Claire Houtsmuller built the brand after struggling to find adequate pumps or support as a first-time, exclusively pumping mother. She was also in need of a village, and this is what this is. MUM CLUB is a baby-friendly training session designed to give new parents a rare hour to move, connect, and recharge — babies and prams welcome, no cost to attend. Quote from Marie-Claire Houtsmuller, Founder, BreastFriend NZ:
28 Jul
Activity
BayActive has plenty of fun lined up to keep your preschool children aged 0–5 years active and entertained with Tumble Time at The University of Waikato Haumaru Sport & Recreation Centre! Have fun with moon hoppers, scooters, trikes, bikes, balls, balancing and gymnastic equipment, mega blocks, Little Tikes cars and much more. Tumble Time is designed to develop children's physical skills of balance, co-ordination, climbing, agility and fine motor skills. As this is a group environment, children also have the chance to develop their social skills as well as being a fantastic opportunity for parents to meet new friends too! No booking is required. Lock in the date and come along with your little one to get socialising at this fun and stimulating preschool playgroup!
26 Jul
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1 Sep
Exhibition
The 2026 New Zealand Mountain Film Festival was held in Wanaka and Queenstown from 18-23 June. A selection of top films will be selected to showcase the best of the best, featuring films from New Zealand and around the world. This September the festival will be screened at Tauranga Boys College. The night promises to have a mix of action-packed excitement, high drama, and inspiration for your own next great adventure.
5 Sep
