Ngā Manu Tukutuku o Ōtaki

Woven by local artist Kim Stretch, these Manu Tukutuku are made from Raupō and Toetoe, swamp plants found mostly in wetland and coastal areas. These pieces have become part of Kim’s creative arts practice after a wānanga followed by a workshop exploring the flight of Manu Tukutuku, led by local multi-disciplinary artist Louie Zalk Neale in 2024 @louiemole The workshop was designed to facilitate learning about the traditions and customs of Ngā Mahi a Rēhia, in preparation of last year’s Ōtaki Kite Festival, 2024. Manu Tukutuku are a Māori pastime, a kite known to many other cultures. Its functional purpose in ancient times for ceremony and our own forms of code talking from afar such as gauging the susceptibility of enemy strongholds, divination, ritualistic purposes. These beautiful manu tukutuku can be flown in the winds of Tāwhirimātea or displayed as art pieces.