Waitohu – Pounamu Touchstone

      Neke Moa’s practice seeks to promote hauora by deepening connections between tangata, tohunga, and atua. She is based in Ōtaki Beach, where many of her rauemi are gathered- using materials gifted by te taiao, and drawing on customary and contemporary processes. Neke is one of Aotearoa’s most highly accomplished adornment artists, having exhibited throughout the Moana Oceania region and further afield.

Pip Devonshire started weaving in the mid-80s, initially learning kete whiri at weaving wānanga held at Paranui marae. Her weaving is influenced by her tupuna  Nanny Rangimahora Reihana Mete and  Kui Ranginui Parewahawaha Leonard. In 1994, Pip received an opportunity to produce Tukutuku and Kōwhaiwhai panels for Ngāti Manomano at Taumata o te Rā marae in Rangitīkei and enrolled as a Design and Art student at Te Wānanga o Raukawa, learning Tāniko, Whatu, and different raranga techniques. She has since established a firm grounding as a kairaranga (weaver). Pip has contributed artworks to many local community organisations, taught Raranga and Whatu for 20 years at Te Wānanga o Raukawa, and curated several exhibitions within Aotearoa.