Hononga Wall Hanging: Waitohu

HONONGA Wall Hangings Collection

Hononga speaks to union, connection and the bonds that exist between people, place and identity.

This new collection of hand-painted wall hangings is an evolution of work first developed during my time in Sumba—a continuation of my exploration into the rituals, materials and gestures that bring people together.

Created from my perspective as a Pākehā artist, these works are shaped by a deep respect for tikanga Māori, te reo Māori and the natural world of Aotearoa. At their heart are two simplified, anonymous faces meeting nose to nose. The gesture references the hongi, while also carrying a broader human message: connection, unity and the coming together of people.

The collection draws inspiration from Matariki and its associations with remembrance, renewal, regrowth and gathering together. The nine whetū of Matariki appear alongside pūriri moths, kūmara flowers, traditional cultivating implements, hue, pikopiko and native botanicals—elements that acknowledge the relationships between people, whenua and the changing seasons.

Each piece is painted by hand onto finely woven cloth, allowing light and shadow to become part of the artwork. The hangings are suspended from driftwood gathered near my home in the Far North and finished with handwoven harakeke cord. Harakeke is included not simply as a material, but in recognition of a taonga species that has long provided fibre for weaving, shelter, tools and everyday life in Aotearoa.

These works are offered as my own expression of respect and connection—not as an attempt to speak for Māori, but as a Pākehā artist responding thoughtfully to the place I call home. Together, they explore renewal, reciprocity and our shared human need to gather and remember, while reflecting on the ways culture, place and connection help shape our sense of identity.

Hononga Wall Hanging: Waitohu (smallest in the range)

Medium: Handpainted Stencil / Spray Paint on Woven Cloth / Driftwood / Harakeke

Dimensions: 980mm x 110mm (cloth only) / 1150mm x 1550mm (with harakeke hanger)

Made In Aotearoa