MATARIKI ART CAFE - TOI EDITION

Date: Friday, 26 June 2026
Time: 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Venue: NGĀ ART, 18 Herschel Street, Ngāruawāhia
Cost: $40 per person

Begin your evening by mixing and mingling over a delicious grazing table, surrounded by laid-back vibes and soulful tunes. Settle in, connect, and embrace the warm, welcoming atmosphere.

When you’re ready, it’s time to create. During the session, you can choose two contemporary Toi Maaori art activities from the options below. Additional activities can be added on the night for $20 each.

Art Activities:

Framed Glam Wheku 20cmx15cm
The wheku represents ancestral guardianship and the watchful gaze of those who came before us. During Matariki, we honour those who have gone before and carry their memory forward. This joyful activity invites you to pause, reflect, and celebrate a loved one while creating something vibrant and full of aroha.
Vase Painting
Matariki is a time to acknowledge the harvest and look ahead with gratitude for what is to come. Decorate your vase with patterns inspired by kōwhaiwhai and the natural world, creating a vessel to hold fresh blooms, new hopes, and the blessings of the coming season. A gentle reminder to make space in your life for growth, intention, and gratitude.
Paint a Matariki Watercolour
Let the soft flow of watercolour guide you into a calm and present space. Inspired by the Matariki this mindful process encourages you to slow down, breathe, and connect with the peaceful, reflective energy of the Māori New Year.
Collage a Journal Cover
Matariki is a time for reflection, remembrance, and setting intentions for the year ahead. Create a personalised journal cover by layering images, textures, and words that speak to your journey. Like whakapapa, your collage will weave together past, present, and future—supporting you to pause, reflect, and move forward with purpose.
Sun Catchers
As Matariki rises, it signals the return of light and the promise of longer days ahead. Create a luminous sun catcher that captures and reflects light, symbolising hope, renewal, and new beginnings. Hang it in your space as a daily reminder to notice small moments of brightness and care for your wellbeing through the winter season.
Framed Mangopare Kinusaiga 18cm x 13xm
The mangopare (hammerhead shark) symbolises strength, resilience, and determination; qualities we carry into the Māori New Year. Through the calming, meditative process of Kinusaiga, you’ll gently place fabrics into carved grooves to create a striking framed piece. This mindful practice offers a moment to slow down, centre yourself, and reflect, leaving you with a taonga that embodies courage, balance, and hope for the year ahead.

Important Information:

Activity spaces are limited and allocated on a first come, first served basis.
While we cannot guarantee availability of specific activities, all options are thoughtfully designed - we’ll help you find something you’ll love.
This event is for adults aged 18+.
A minimum of 12 registrations is required for the workshop to go ahead. If this is not met, the event will be rescheduled or a full refund offered if the new date does not suit.

About NGĀ ART

As a not-for-profit organisation, NGĀ ART (Te Whare Toi o Ngāruawāhia) relies on grants, community funding, and donations to keep our classes accessible and affordable.

This programme is generously supported by the Creative Communities Fund.

Matariki Art Cafe - Toi Edition