Lights out on Sunday for Te Ara i Whiti

More than 10,000 people have enjoyed Te Ara i Whiti, which finishes on Sunday night. Installations pictured (from left) are Te Tai Rā Whiti by Melaine Tangaere Baldwin, Tapu Kõrako by Ngaire Tuhua, WhareAtua by Maia Keane and Hiwa-i-te-rangi by Jamie Berry. Picture by Phil Yeo

It’s the last weekend to wander through the stunning Te Ara i Whiti at Kelvin and Marina parks along the banks of the city’s rivers.

More than 10,000 people have enjoyed the interactive visual arts experience that is part of Te Tairāwhiti Arts Festival RĀ season offering.

Curated by Melanie Tangaere Baldwin and featuring artworks by Erena Koopu, Jamie Berry, Lissy and Rudi Robinson-Cole, Maia Keane, Ngaire Tuhua, Natalie Robertson, Sarah Hudson, Amio Renati and Melanie, the show will close for the last time in 2023 at 10pm on Sunday evening.

The works speak of whenua, relationships to place, hopefulness and of dreaming. There has been a buoyancy from those who have headed to Te Ara i Whiti in their droves and an appreciation for something so uplifting after a challenging year.

Arts Festival chief executive and artistic director Tama Waipara has loved seeing the community enjoy the works.

“I love the way that curator Mel Tangaere-Baldwin has brought together all the artists’ different styles and approaches,” Waipara said.

“I also love that our community embraces that uniqueness every year and feels a sense of ownership of the kaupapa. It’s just the kind of gentle joy we need right now.”

There’s still plenty more to come from Te Tairāwhiti Arts Festival with the performance of UPU tonight and tomorrow night at the War Memorial Theatre, a Taonga Pūoro Workshop at Eastwoodhill Arboretum tomorrow, IA Māori Music at Eastwoodhill Arboretum on Sunday, Big J – A New Legacy on Wednesday and Thursday (October 11-12) at Lawson Field Theatre and Deva Mahal also at the Lawson Field Theatre on Friday and Saturday (October 13-14).

Next week also features the highly anticipated Whakapaupakihi development season from Friday to Sunday at War Memorial Theatre.

Keep an eye on the festival’s Facebook page for the latest information around the events and particularly if the weather forces a move for the outdoor gatherings.

For more information and tickets, go to tetairawhitiartsfestival.nz/