The theme for Matariki Festival 2026, ‘Matariki Herenga Waka’ (the mooring place of many canoes), speaks to convergence, such as the coming together of people’s stories and creative practices in a shared space.
This exhibition positions The Poi Room as a contemporary herenga waka: a place where Māori artists gather to share whakaaro, whakapapa and lived experience through their art.
Each artist contributes to a collective constellation of works, echoing the Matariki cluster and showing their own distinctness yet interconnected with others.
The exhibition invites multiple voices and shared understanding.