Details of Tiki Āhua 2018 revealed at Te Puia launch

Te Puia sales and marketing general manager Kiri Atkinson-Crean at the launch of Tiki Āhua - Kura Mōwai. Photo / Ben Fraser

Social media star William Waiirua and Rotorua designer Adrienne Whitewood are among the 30 designers and artists taking part in the second annual Tiki Āhua fashion show

The show fuses contemporary fashion with traditional Māori arts and will include design, music and dance, clothes, jewellery and adornment including tā moko.

The details of the October 6 event were revealed at a special launch at Te Puia last night. It will have the theme Kura Mōwai, Sacred Waters, which celebrates the joining of different ideas, artists and designers and the female power to create.

Te Puia sales and marketing general manager Kiri Atkinson-Crean said the event would be a "must see one-night fashion and design extravaganza".

"Tiki Āhua is an opportunity to merge our traditional Māori arts and crafts - which we are mandated to preserve – with contemporary art, giving both the opportunity to shine."

The event will include a runway event and a concert headlined by L.A.B, the band founded by the Kora brothers and featuring musicians from Katchafire.

Tiki Āhua was first held in 2016 and sold out.

At last night's launch Atkinson-Crean said her dream was for it to become a week-long festival.

Designer Adrienne Whitewood will show her upcoming collection at the event.

"I'm becoming increasingly selective of the shows I'm involved with, but Tiki Āhua ticks all the boxes."

Turanga Merito returns as artistic director and said it would be a "beautiful and magical night".

Henare Jewellery's Nerida Johnstone was "amped" to get back on the runway, after the 2016 event.

"Designers get a lot of creative licence with this show which is wonderful, and it is certainly a very nurturing environment.

"It did wonders for me personally and professionally, being able to showcase what I do and also helped build a great network."

This year the event budget is close to $200,000 and there will be 500 seats on offer. It will be hosted by Matai Smith and Mercia Yates.

Some of the other artists in the lineup include eight emerging designers from local secondary schools, Te Puia tā moko artists, Kiti Nathan, Taongahuia Maxwell and Mitchell Vincent.

Need to know
• When: Evening of October 6.
• Where: Te Puia.
• Tickets: Available from 9am on August 17 from Ticketmaster.
• What: Runway show and concert.