Star Waka Exhibition

Te Kōngahu Museum of Waitangi Exhibition Gallery

Star Waka is an exhibition by Ngā Turuturu o te Tara (Coromandel Weavers Collective) with Chris Charteris and Lizzy Leckie. The exhibition acknowledges past, present, and future voyaging to and from Aotearoa in all directions. The exhibition comprises a framework waka and stars that hang from the ceiling. The stars reflect navigation patterns over time and space and together with the waka, they symbolise the universe and the binding together of ira atua (the realm of the gods) and ira tangata (the realm of humans).

Star Waka is also the title of Robert Sullivan’s book of poetry, which engages with the imagination and encapsulates the vision to create a symbolic waka in a star-studded universe. A special acknowledgement to Maryann Talia Pau of The One Mission Stars to End Violence project. This exhibition was first begun in Whitianga for Tuia 250 commemorations, sponsored by the Ministry for Culture and Heritage Tuia 250 programme.

With seating and craft space in the exhibition gallery, as well as instructional videos, the exhibition provides the opportunity for visitors to make their own stars to gift to the exhibition or to take home with them.