ABOUT AROHANOA
Arohanoa is a Contemporary Māori Artist who resides in Tauranga Moana. Alongside her dedication to the arts, Arohanoa has worked in the education sector as an Iwi Education, Reo and Archives Manager for her iwi, Ngāi Te Rangi and is currently the Ngā Toi Māori Navigator for Te Waka Auaha Toi (Creative Bay of Plenty). Arohanoa is involved in kaupapa that supports the development and capabilities of Māori, specifically within Culture and The Arts.
Art and business, especially within the Māori context, have not been mutually exclusive but rather intertwined aspects of my life. They have been vehicles for self-expression, cultural preservation, and economic empowerment.
ARTIST STATEMENT
My upbringing, my culture and an inherent gift of art, has moulded me in to who I am today. Living in Australia for a collective 20 years, I constantly taught others how to pronounce my name and often explained where Māori came from. My experiences as a Māori living in Australia, inspired the evolution of my small business, Arohanoa Artistry Ltd.
The use of my name and kauae for my small business was intentional; For me it meant that my business was outwardly seen as Māori, it clearly identifies who I am and where I come from: It pinpoints us in the world as a Māori Business; it shares the traditional motif of ta moko which for me speaks of a quiet authority of the wearer AND it aims to encourage wāhine Māori to find their voice to empower themselves.
Six years ago, I dared to pursue my passion of owning my own business where I have mana motuhake. But at the time, pre-covid, Contemporary Māori whakakai and kākahu for wāhine to adorn was not readily accessible in mainstream fashion. And so Arohanoa Artistry Ltd was created.
“My business is people. My business is connecting. My business is innovation."
PORTFOLIO
