Karu o Te Whenua

Nō Ngāti Whātua, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Hine, me Ngāti Wai a Sonia. Sonia is a registered Toi Iho ™ licenced artist, awarded as a Te Ara Whakarei (Lifetime) weaver. In 2019 she was awarded Ngā Tohu a Tā Kingi Ihaka by Creative New Zealand acknowledging her lifetime contributions to the arts of Te Wharepora. She started weaving in the early 1980s. She was taught the art of making whāriki by Emily Schuster of Te Arawa. A remarkable and most talented woman. Sonia has been teaching and weaving ever since, taking her on a wonderful journey. Her kete whakairo have been exhibited nationally and internationally, held in both public and private collections. Recent exhibitions; Tiaho Mai, Kiwibank Paraparaumu Te Ringa Māhorahora, Toi Matarau Gallery Ōtaki Te Puna Waiora, Te Puna o Waiwhetu - Christchurch Art Gallery Sonia has been one of the first resident weavers of Ngā Aho Whenua, a 12 month Raranga project based in the Wharepora of the Toi Matarau Gallery at Māoriland in Ōtaki. Harakeke has been Sonia’s friend for many, many years. Weaving with others fills her kete, so through teaching she hopes sharing her knowledge fills other people’s kete too.