Fresh From The Field — Ko Matariki Te Kairuuri - By Ira

Fresh From The Field — Ko Matariki Te Kairuuri – By Ira

Design Assembly loves to profile the breadth and depth of design practice in Aotearoa. For July we’re celebrating Māori design, designers, and illustrators.

Collaborating with Manawa Tapu to create a piece of art that featured a Matariki narrative unique to Tainui Waka, Ira walk us through the Ko Matariki Te Kairuuri experiential campaign for The Base Shopping Centre.

The brief

Te Awa The Base Shopping Center, owned by Tainui Group Holdings and Kiwi Property approached Ira to create an experiential campaign centred around Matariki.

One of our key objectives was to tell a rich story that captured a uniquely Tainui Waka relationship to Matariki. Another was to ensure we facilitated a moment of connection and cultural enrichment for The Base customers.

Photo of Sarai from Ira showing a child how to participate in weaving of the artwork

Detailed photo of a hand weaving the artwork

The Design Response

Ira saw this as an opportunity to revitalise regional Matariki stories as an expression of Māori mana motuhake (self-determination) and tuakiritanga (identity).

Ira collaborated with Manawa Tapu to create a piece of art that featured a Matariki narrative unique to Tainui Waka – ‘Ko Matariki Te Kairuuri’. In this narrative, Matariki is the child of Tama-nui-te-raa (the sun) and Te Raro (another name for Papatūānuku). Matariki follows the sun, marking the transition phases from winter to summer.

In the art we have depicted Matariki in the sky with her six children who each have a relationship with the environment. Mirrored on the earth is the sun and seven prominent maunga (mountains) of the Tainui region which represent the mana (strength) and identity of the hapū (sub tribes) and iwi (tribe). Flowing through the centre of the piece is the Waikato river, a symbol of the lifeblood and cultural identity of Tainui Waka.

The artwork is printed onto seven tukutuku panels. Participants are invited to participate by weaving traditional compositions to help complete the art and finishing the telling of the story.