New opportunities popping up

FAMILY AFFAIR: Chappy Harrison and his nephew Billy, a carver living at Cooper's Beach, sharing the excitement of new art initiative. PICTURE/SUPPLIED

A new pop up space will be open for business on Boxing Day (Saturday) in the old Betta Electrical Building at Taipa, offering a stage for Doubtless Bay's creative fraternity.

Set up by a group of young locals, the space (Taute - to nurture or protect, the philosophy that Geneva Harrison said drove the passion of many of the artists involved) will promote a range of locally-made Maori arts, rongoa, gifts and taonga, both on display and for sale.

Boxing Day can't come soon enough for Chappy Harrison, a local kaihautu involved in Toi Waka.

FAMILY AFFAIR: Chappy Harrison and his nephew Billy, a carver living at Cooper's Beach, sharing the excitement of new art initiative. PICTURE/SUPPLIED

"We have so many talented young artists who live locally, and this space will give them the opportunity to promote their work and share our knowledge and taonga with the community," he said.

"We are excited about the opportunities it can give many locals, especially during our peak tourism season in Northland."

The space will also be used to stage a range of live demonstrations by local weavers, carvers and ta moko artists, giving tourists and locals the chance to see how different art forms are practiced and to give more context to what is being sold.

It will remain open through to February 20, 8.30am to 4pm daily. All queries to Gen at (0210) 573-419, or check out Facebook, Instagram or Twitter for regular updates.