Maryjane Winiata

Maryjane Winiata is a weaver with an outstanding ability to transform natural materials into fine art textiles. She is also a young mother and rongoā Māori practitioner. We are proud to be showcasing more of her creations and the range of her skills with new works. Maryjane has learnt under the tutelage and guidance of Kohai Grace, who has encouraged her on this journey within Te Whare Pora.

Nearly two metres in length and over a metre in height, this Tukutuku has been made possible through whānau collaboration between Kohai Grace, Kaya Grace, Maia Grace-Paul, Te Aomania Grace-Paul, Maryjane Winiata, and Elena Rei. All of these wāhine have also been students of Kohai and her Raranga Program at Whitireia Polytechnic in Porirua.

This Tukutuku was created for an exhibition called Te Ohonga (The Awakening) held at Te Waka Huia o Ngā Taonga Tuku Iho, Wellington Museum in 2023.

Te Kara (The Colour), the first national flag of Aotearoa, which we now identify as He Whakaputanga – a symbol of the Declaration of Independence of the United Tribes of New Zealand. Historically, this flag is a symbol of Rangatiratanga. Intentionally created to instigate discussion about Te Tiriti o Waitangi and a better understanding of its purpose.